Owen Conway went to work applying expected pressure, moving the ball smoothly into the forward line.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Mulwala 2.2, 4.3, 5.8, 10.9.69.
Moama 0.2, 0.3, 1.3, 4.5.29.
Goals: Mulwala: J. House 2, O. Conway 2, J. Sutherland 1, A. Rouel 1, B. Tyson 1, C. McKenna 1, N. McNair 1, Z. Scott 1.
Moama: L. Hogan 2, M. Bell 1, K. Height 1.
Best: Mulwala: C. Griffiths, D. McNamara, O. Conway, J. Meade, B. Tyson, Z. Cuppins.
Moama: J. Whitehead, S. Taylor, J. Sheldon, L. Hogan, C. Doyle, F. Verhey.
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Having already secured top spot on the ladder, this game against another fellow finalist was going to be all about fine tuning the pressure game that Mulwala has done so well this year.
Moama, however, had the same idea as they came to play to see how they match up on the best team in the competition.
The first quarter was an arm wrestle that saw Mulwala take a slight lead as the midfield group of Connor Griffiths, Owen Conway and Zach Cuppins went to work applying that expected pressure and moved the ball smoothly into the forward line where Jyda House and Jackson Meade capitalized on the scoreboard.
The defense of Dylan McNamara was outstanding all game and along with James Wilson and Lach Rouel kept Moama to a solitary goal in the first 3 quarters.
The game opened up in the last quarter as Mulwala rested players but were still able to outscore the opposition and run away with another 40 point win.
The Seniors, Reserves and Thirds all have a week off before a Saturday Semi Final at Nathalia with the winners going straight into the Grand Final.
The Mulwala Football Netball Club are very much looking forward to all supporters getting along to finals to cheer the teams on as they strive for success across all grades of football and netball.
Dylan McNamara’s defense was outstanding all day.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Reserves
Mulwala 10.5.65 def Moama 5.6.36.
A tougher match this week and although a top two finish was guaranteed for Mulwala, Moama came out firing as though finals had begun.
A tight first quarter ensued as Austin Frauenfelder and Joseph Bland were dominant through the midfield.
The second quarter became the Thomas Wilson show as he kicked multiple goals to put Mulwala in front and his sublime skills opened the game right up to Mulwala’s advantage.
Seb Hargreaves was having a difficult time on the Moama forwards but was able to gain control and with the assistance of Nathan Beasley and Josh Ednie restricted Moama to a goal a quarter for the rest of the match.
The cream continued to rise to the top as Jett Peters and Sean Robinson joined TomCat in the middle of the ground as Mulwala surged away in the last quarter further stamping their authority on the competition leading into finals.
Goals: T. Wilson 4, R. Bartlett 2, S. Robinson 1, J. Bland 1, A. Psaltiras 1, C. Nye 1.
Best: A. Frauenfelder, T. Wilson, J. Bland, S. Hargreaves, J. Ednie, S. Robinson.
Thirds
Mulwala 6.6.42 def Moama 6.5.41.
A much-anticipated contest awaited the Thirds with a top two position on the ladder up for grabs and the first quarter intensity was evident from both sides.
Through the strong work of Max O’Bryan and Jaxen Wheeler, Mulwala was able to get on the scoreboard first and looked sharp but Moama was just as keen to get the four points.
The pressure from the entire team was fantastic in the second quarter keeping Moama goalless as Jaxen Wheeler got the only goal for the quarter from a clever snap that put him in front in the leagues goal kicking medal.
This goal from Jaxen Wheeler put him in the lead of the leagues goal kicking medal. Photo: Andrea Sissons.
Photo by
Andrea Sissons
The excitement for Jaxen at half time by the whole team moved into the third quarter as Mulwala took control of the game through the great ruck work of Brock Johnson and the midfield grunt of Jack Walls and Oliver Watson.
Nate Williams and Josh Eder were incredible down back and through the middle of the ground who along with Xavier Watson were winning the contests and continuing to put Mulwala into attack where Max O’Bryan was causing Moama all sorts of trouble.
Moama fought back in the last quarter to get in front but Mulwala hit back hard and were able to keep a slender lead in a nail biting finish that encapsulated their unbelievable improvement and perseverance throughout the year.
Goals: M. O’Bryan 3, J. Wheeler 2, J. Sneddon 1.
Best: B. Johnson, O. Watson, X. Watson, M. O’Bryan, N. Williams, J. Eder.
Fourths
Mulwala 4.4.28 def by Moama 5.8.38.
Mulwala came out of the blocks early and through the silky forward skills of Henry Donovan had the first goal on the board.
Moama fought back hard and controlled the possession for the majority of the quarter kicking 2 goals of their own to take the first quarter lead.
Van, Maiko and Axel joined Archie Purtle in the backline in the second quarter as the game was played in Mulwala’s defensive end.
The defensive work of Tyce Woodhead and Jamar Zanker was keeping Mul in the game, but the boys couldn’t get the ball into their forward half.
The scoring increased in the second half as Van Kreeck began using his blistering speed in the forward line and Mulwala were looking dangerous around goals.
Several missed opportunities in the last quarter saw the boys fall just short but can take great confidence moving forward knowing that their best can take them deep into finals.
An elimination final awaits next week in Numurkah to begin their finals campaign.
Goals: V. Kreeck 2, H. Donovan 2.
Best: V. Kreeck, M. Leith, A. Saunders, T. Woodhead, A. Purtle, J. Zanker.
