Blues chase for flag finished

By Bransen Gibson

Sep 6, 2022

Loud and proud: Moama players belt out the song after their 10-point semi-final win over Tongala. Photo: Bransen Gibson

Tongala’s season is over and Moama has done it again, becoming the Murray Football League’s “Houdini act’’.

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For the second week in a row the Magpies won a do-or-die final in thrilling fashion, this time claiming a come-from-behind 10-point win over Tongala in the Murray Football League’s semi-final.

The two sides traded blows in the second half as they went goal-for-goal, but it was the Magpies who pulled away when it mattered most to claim a 12.4 (76) to 9.12 (66) win.

The triumph keeps Moama’s quest for its first flag since 2010 alive, with the Magpies set to face off against Mulwala in a preliminary final this weekend for a spot in the decider.

Jobe Shanahan was one of the stars for the Magpies, with the 16-year-old booting four goals in his first full senior game for the club, including a key goal in the final term.

Looking to claim its first win over the Blues this season in its third attempt, Moama made a fast start in the opening quarter.

Tongala’s Jordan Souter was shown a yellow card in the second term, but the Blues were still able to edge out Moama during a tight stanza, kicking two of the quarter’s three goals as they hit the front and led by five points at the main break.

The contest was goal-for-goal from that point on, with both sides going full tilt in a see-sawing second half.

But just like they did last week against Congupna, Moama came charging home in the fourth quarter.

For Tongala, the loss means their 38-year premiership drought will continue, with the Blues knocked out of the finals.

“We are obviously disappointed in losing, but we were beaten by a better side, fair and square,” Blues coach Jordan Souter said.

Moama will now look to book its spot in the grand final when it takes on Mulwala in a preliminary final at Deniliquin next week.

The winner of that contest will face off against Cobram, with the Tigers earning their spot in the decider with a 12-point win over the Lions on Saturday.

SCOREBOARD

Tongala 3.3, 5.6, 7.11, 9.12 (66)

Moama 4.1, 5.1, 8.2, 12.4 (76)

Goals, Tongala: M. Ryan 4, D. Ewing 2, S. Cipriani, A. Dennis, C.Ilett. Moama: J. Shanahan 4, N. Pavlou, J. Pell, S. Taylor 2, M. Lake, J. Russell

Best, Tongala: J. Hammond, M. Ryan, C. McCarthy, M. Pryde, M. Hedges, C. Ilett. Moama: C. Doyle, J. Vick, M. Lake, J. Russell, J. Shanahan, J. Warren.

Cobram 3.3, 4.8, 8.11, 11.13 (79)

Mulwala 4.4, 5.4, 6.7, 10.7 (67)

GOALS, Cobram: M. Demaio 3, K. Coates 2, L. McShane 2, A. De Cicco 1, B. Ryan 1, I. Artavilla 1, T. Garlick 1, Mulwala: L. Taylor 2, S. Johns 2, D. McNamara 1, J. Gash 1, J. Dalgliesh 1, J. Peters 1, M. Gorman 1, T. Dow 1.

BEST, Cobram: T. Garlick, L. Allen, D. Clarke, S. Gemmill, A. De Cicco, M. Allen, Mulwala: J. Wilson, J. Tonna, D. McNamara, L. Taylor, D. Robinson, B. Clarke.

RESERVES

Tongala 2.2, 5.3, 10.3, 11.3 (69)

Moama 2.1, 4.2, 5.4, 7.6 (48)

GOALS, Tongala: R. Bacon 2, Z. Johnstone 2, B. Cox 1, C. Houghton 1, J. Tyler 1, L. Van Roy 1, M. Watson 1, S. Tucker 1, T. Pyke 1, Moama: J. Galpin 2, J. Kilmartin 2, J. Smith 2, K. McNicol 1.

BEST, Tongala: J. Tucker, K. Halliwell, B. Denham, B. Cox, S. Tyler, Z. Johnstone, Moama: L. Simpson, N. Milner, G. Ward, K. Baker, K. Stovell, J. Simpson.

By Bransen Gibson