Wasteful Magpies beaten by Nathalia

Moama kicked 1.5 in the opening term to Nathalia’s 0.1, the home side failing to take full advantage of creating several more opportunities than its more fancied opponent.

The Purples kicked into gear after quarter-time, and in a role reversal, were the only goal-kickers in the second period.

Nathalia laid on five unanswered majors in the term as Moama was made to pay for its inability to capitalise earlier on, suddenly trailing 1.7 (13) to 5.4 (34) at half-time.

The sides exchanged goals to open the second half, before two consecutive majors for the visitors pushed their lead beyond 30 points midway through the third term.

The Magpies booted a second major of the period to cut the margin back to 28, but then again wasted their opportunities, registering only behinds with their next three scoring shots.

The chasm in execution between two sides experiencing very different campaigns was evident, with Nathalia then going down the other end and punishing Moama just before three-quarter time with its fourth major of the term.

Already trailing by 31 entering the final quarter, a comeback was unlikely for the Magpies, and was made almost impossible with two early Nathalia majors in the fourth.

Moama ended up only losing the period 22-21 as it finished with better execution in front of goal, but came away on the receiving end of a 6.14 (50) to 12.10 (82) loss.

The defeat is the Magpies’ 10th of the season, as they were mathematically ruled out of the finals picture with one match remaining.

The highest Moama can now finish is seventh, the position it currently occupies.

Shannon Keam’s side will be favoured to end 2026 with a win against bottom-placed Rumbalara in round 18.