An inaccurate first quarter at Barooga Recreation Reserve saw the visitors slip out to a 1.4 (10) to 0.2 (2) lead by the first break, and it looked as though the much higher-rated side would proceed to a routine victory.
Right at the pointy end of the ladder, Finley looks to be a challenger for the crown this season, and while Barooga may not have reached the same heights so far, the side certainly didn’t allow the Cats to play the game on their own terms.
After not registering a goal in the first term, Barooga could not be slowed in the second, booting 4.1 while again restricting the Cats to just 1.4, to take a seven-point lead into the main break.
Finley needed a response after half-time to gain the upper hand in the contest as they had in the first quarter, and despite kicking three goals, Barooga managed to extend its lead to a game-high 13 points after slamming home another 4.2, the highest tally of any quarter in the match.
Leading 8.5 (53) to 5.10 (40) at the final change of ends, the Hawks looked to be in control and poised to deliver a mammoth upset in front of a home crowd.
But the Cats had other ideas, restricting Barooga to no score for the term while booting 2.5 in the final quarter to clinch an unlikely come-from-behind victory, Barooga eventually going down 8.5 (53) to 7.15 (57).
In a season that has seen few wins, to see another slip by after being so close will hurt, although there are encouraging signs, having been in contention at the death against a finals fancy.
Barooga will look to regroup ahead of the trip to Tongala this weekend, with the Hawks a chance to claim win number three this season against a Blues outfit that has been down on form in recent weeks.
17°C