Lions secure finals berth

By Yarrawonga Chronicle

Aug 27, 2024

Connor Griffiths looks to a teammate in the seniors 3 goal win to secure a finals position. Photo by Les_Garbutt

Mulwala: 3.1, 5.3, 8.5, 10.8.68.

Cobram: 1.2, 4.3, 5.6, 7.8.50.

Goals: Mulwala: J. Gash 3, J. Sutherland 2, J. Meade 2, W. Gorman 1, B. Seymour 1, H. Haley 1.

Cobram: I. Artavilla 3, J. Trengove 2, M. Ward 1, L. Allen 1.

Best: Mulwala: J. Gash, J. Meade, B. Tyson, W. Gorman, O. Elliott, C. McKenna.

Cobram: H. Beasley, I. Artavilla, F. Pinnuck, D. Clarke, L. Allen, S. Beasley.

The Mulwala seniors have secured their 2024 finals berth with a hard-fought victory against archrival Cobram on a day glittered with brilliance on and off the field.

The scene was set from the start of the match on a typical Spring day of brilliant sunshine, the smell of roast meat and a huge crowd at Lonsdale Reserve eager to watch the big game where the victor goes to finals and the loser is left to ponder over their 2024 season.

From the first bounce it was evident what was at stake as both teams attacked the ball at a ferocious finals-like level.

Cobram got the first goal on the board but it was all Mulwala after that in the first quarter as Jackson Meade got them off the mark and then the skillful Jackson Gash used all of his guile to finish off the quarter with two of his own as Mulwala took a 2 goal lead into quarter time.

A brilliant piece of play from Brodie Tyson in the ruck contest on the wing to young star Oscar Elliott finished with a goal to Harry Haley and Mulwala looked to have the ascendancy.

Cobram however, had different ideas as they controlled the rest of the quarter to level the scores late until again the brilliance of Jackson Gash came to the fore to give Mulwala the lead into half time.

As usual the half time show containing the Mulwala cubs inspired the team to a strong start to the second half as they piled on a three goal to one third quarter that set up an exciting finish to the game.

An early goal in the last quarter to Jack Sutherland, thanks to some smooth moving Charley McKenna skills, gave Mulwala what looked to be a strong enough lead but again Cobram fought back and with the game in the balance it was Beau Seymour who kicked straight with minutes to go much to the delight of the Hog Day crowd who erupted to a rendition of Country Road and the game was over.

An elimination final this week in Tongala against Deni and it will be great to see the many loyal Mulwala supporters get over there and cheer on the Lions on their march to premiership glory and the elusive Three-Peat.

Reserves

Mulwala 15.7.97 def Cobram 4.4.28.

With the top two position already sewed up, Mulwala were still looking to show fellow finalists Cobram that they will be a force to be reckoned with in 2024.

Cobram kicked the first goal of the game and it appeared as though it was going to be a ripping game of football for the Hog Day crowd at Bay 13.

Enter Sean Robinson who then helped Mulwala by kicking four of the next 8 goals all to Mulwala and the game was all but over at quarter time.

Sean, brother Dylan and the energetic Cam Magher tore the Cobram defense to shreds in the first quarter as their defenders were left watching on in amazement at times as the trio pulled out all the tricks to give Mulwala a strong advantage.

Mulwala caught their breath in the second quarter before again turning it on in the second half as the midfield of Austin Frauenfelder, Joe Bland, Matt McLachlan and the ‘big sexy’ Thomas Wilson moved the ball fluently into the forward half where the forwards again were on top.

A dominating victory that would undoubtedly have other teams in the league worried about coming against Mulwala throughout finals.

Goals: S. Robinson 7, C. Magher 2, J. Wheeler 2, D. Robinson 2, J. Ednie 1, M. McLachlan 1.

Best: S. Robinson, T. Wilson, A. Frauenfelder, C. Magher, J. Wheeler, M. Appleby.

Thirds

Mulwala 8.5.53 def by Cobram 13.17.95.

The Thirds were slow to bring their best play and were caught napping by the quick Cobram team early in the match.

The backline was under constant attack from Cobram and the hard contested footy of Jordan Ibbott, Levi Saunders and Maiko Leith were the only things keeping Mulwala in touch.

Mulwala were winning enough of the ball through the middle of the ground thanks to Riley Bone and Brock Johnson and the forward line guns in Baxter Donovan and Jai Sneddon were starting to find their way to the scoreboard.

The team continued to try hard all game but the constant quick ball movement of Cobram was too difficult to withstand and they ran away with the win.

The Mulwala boys have been impressive all year and will take great confidence going into an elimination final next week home at the Lions den against Tongala looking to kickstart their finals campaign and challenge for the 2024 flag.

Goals: B. Donovan 3, H. Cooper 2, H. Lonergan 1, J. Sneddon 1, L. Saunders 1.

Best: J. Ibbott, L. Saunders, R. Bone, M. Leith, B. Donovan, R. Burgess.

Fourths

Mulwala 6.5.41 def Cobram 3.6.24.

With a top 2 finish on the line and the guarantee of a week off heading into the finals, the young Lions came out firing in the first quarter.

Attacking the forward line with a slight breeze it was only composure moving forward that halted the boys from being multiple goals up at quarter time.

The second quarter was similar to the first as Axel Saunders and Hugo Varndell were continually thrusting the ball forward and the taller Cobram defenders were under constant pressure but were able to thwart the multiple Mulwala advances.

Logan Cooper and Levi Purtle were winning the contested ball on the flanks and Mulwala were controlling most of the play.

Axel stood up in the third quarter and going head-to-head with Cobram’s best, was coming out on top and the multiple inside 50s to Mulwala soon turned into goals to the always crafty Henry Donovan and Mulwala looked to be taking control of the game.

The 3 quarter time speech from coach Ryan Donovan inspired the team to continue their hard work into the final siren and Finn Mitchell, Wally Hammon and the Woodhead brothers, Tyce and Fletcher all kept working hard to outrun their opponents.

Cobram kicked 3 goals early in the last quarter and the pressure index went through the roof, but ‘Captain Courageous’ Axel Saunders shone again in the final quarter and carried the team across the line and into a Semi Final berth with Moama with the chance to book a spot in the 2024 Grand Final.

Goals: H. Donovan 3, L. Cooper 1, A. Saunders 1, A. Richardson 1.

Best: A. Saunders, H. Varndell, L. Cooper, L. Purtle, F. Mitchell, W. Hammon.