While it started as a cold, foggy morning, the Cats travelled south to take on Rumbalara in what turned out to be a perfect day for football.
The Cats kicked the first four goals of the game, before Rumbalara kicked the last two of the opening quarter.
The second quarter started with Rumbalara taking the game on, and with their slick ball movement they outscored the Cats with 2.4 to 0.3 for the term, heading into the half-time break a single point behind the Cats.
Some reassurance and positional changes from the coaching staff proved to be the ignition for Finley to kick into gear.
However, Rumbalara wouldn’t lay down and although beaten in the third quarter, 2.2 to 4.4, the scene was set for a grandstand finish in the last.
A plea from coach Jordan Taylor to get back to applying pressure was made and then answered, with the Cats kicking multiple goals before Rumbalara surged again.
Both sides kicked three goals for the last quarter, although the Cats had eight shots on goal for that return.
In the end it was a hard fought win for the Cats, with Finley’s focus now shifting to another danger game against Barooga at Barooga this weekend.
Final scores: Finley 11.15 (81) def Rumbalara 09.08 (62)
Best players: Mark Whiley, Jesse White, Jesse McDonald, Charlie Lang, Mitch Carson, Angus Robertson.
Goals: Tom Lang 2, Angus Robertson 2, Nik Burns, Cruz Nash, Paul Massingham, Zac Brain, Mitch Carson, Mark Whiley, Levi Middleton.
Awards: Kelly Grains - Mark Whiley; Finley RSC - Jesse White; Garnaut Private Wealth - Jesse McDonald; Irwin Stockfeed - Charlie Lang; OMLS - Mitch Carson.
Reserves
In what were trying conditions, the reserves were able to get the win against the hosting Rumbalara reserves.
The group started well hitting up Shaun Kable early, he in turn kicking the first two goals and Finley headed in to the quarter time break three goals ahead.
Tom Oliver showed how to hunt the football, putting his body on the line time after time.
Robbie Hamman kept his good form going in the backline with help from Nick Robertson.
James ‘Bubba’ Kennedy led from the front as always in the centre and forward half, though co-coach Josh Paterson thought it was best to start him on the bench in the last quarter which didn’t play out well for the team, losing the final term four goals to one.
The Cats came away with the win and will be looking to improve in the final third of the year.
Final scores: Finley 12.15 (87) def Rumbalara 05.06 (36).
Best players: James Kennedy, Robbie Hamann, Shaun Kable, Sam Hatty, Tom Oliver, Marcus Anderson.
Goals: Shaun Kable 4, James Kennedy 2, Levi Webster 2, Tom Oliver, Sam Hatty, Marcus Anderson, Noah Iddles.
Awards: EagleI Machinery - James Kennedy; Marshall Ag - Shaun Kable; Country Club Hotel - Robbie Hamann; O’Connor’s Case IH - Tom Oliver; Kalangadoo Nursery - James McCaw.
Thirds:
The thirds, fresh off the bye and a good patch of form, headed down to Rumbalara on Saturday ready to take on a side one position below them on the ladder.
The thirds group eventually walked away comfortable winners. It was a top effort considering the team were short on players through school holidays, injuries and illness.
This wasn’t to dampen the spirit of the Cats who jumped out to a five goal lead at quarter time.
The consistent team play continued with Jordan Sykes, Will Doolan and Isaac Lunn leading through the middle of the ground followed by Harry Daniel, Tyrelle Taylor and James McNamara.
The forward line worked well with Lachlan Whelan presenting well all day from centre half forward, and Reece Simmons playing a great game at full forward with six goals.
It was great to see young players Nick Chesworth and Ryan Bauer also hitting the scoreboard. An overall great team performance.
Final scores: Finley 12.10 (82) def Rumbalara 01.02 (8)
Best players: Will Doolan, Jordan Sykes, Harry Daniel, Reece Simmons, Lachlan Whelan, Sam Hurlston.
Goals: Reece Simmons 6, Jordan Sykes 2, Ben Rourke, Ryan Bauer, Lachlan Whelan, Judd Clarke.
Awards: Finley RSC - Will Doolan; Ross & Sarah - Jordan Sykes; Nice Rice - Harry Daniel; Ag Warehouse - Reece Simmons; Kalangadoo Nursery - Lachlan Whelan; Massingham Auto - Sam Hurlston.
Fourths:
The first round back from the bye had Finley travelling down south to take on Rumba before the frost was off the field.
It was a slippery game with lots of physicality where both sides struggled to land tackles, and breaking lines with good disposal was paramount.
It was also a game where many young boys had to step up and fill roles against larger opponents as some of our top age players were out with injury or prior commitments.
Josiah Everingham relieved in the ruck and Lachy Marshall moved everywhere to fill in the gaps.
Judd Clarke took on a commander’s role in the back half to keep players accountable with his voice.
Blake Vidler and Jason Hay fought hard in and under, providing much needed strength and defensive acts throughout the game.
Joel Fitzel and Jordan Dean held the line and rebounded as key position defenders despite a big size and age disadvantage.
Despite the large margin, Finley fought to the end, with some hard contested ball from Hamish Lucas and Campbell Reynolds, with amazing ground coverage from Lincoln Cicolini who worked hard to provide a numbers advantage whenever he could, resulting in a goal before the final siren.
Final scores: Finley 01.01 (7) def by Rumbalara 08.16 (64).
Best players: Blake Vidler, Joel Fitzell, Jordan Dean, Lachlan Marshall, Lincoln Ciccolini, Hamish Lucas.
Goal: Campbell Reynolds.
Awards: Finley RSC - Blake Vidler; Jerilderie Vet Clinic - Lachlan Marshall; Kalangadoo Nursery - Jordan Dean; Bauer Family - Lincoln Ciccolini; Sutto’s Mini Excavations Coach’s Award - Orlando Orsida; Lucas McCaw - Hamish Lucas.
17°C