Hello and welcome to the Riverine Herald’s live coverage of the Murray Football Netball League’s grand final day, held at Moama Recreation Reserve this Saturday, September 20.
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Our journalists and photographers are on the ground to bring you the latest as the action progresses, so check in throughout the day for updates on how your club is faring.
Update 5.08pm- Road repairs needed after Tigers hang on for title
In what may go down as one of the worst goal-kicking performances in living memory, unbeaten minor premier Congupna was felled at the final hurdle by a ferocious Cobram.
The Road finished with an atrocious 5.21 (51) and three of those goals came in the final period, while a much more measured Cobram posted a far superior 8.6 (54), surviving a late scare to claim the championship.
Update 4.30pm- Road finally start firing?
After posting an insipid 1.14, Congupna has finally found its second goal shortly before three-quarter-time.
The Road now has one quarter to erase a 26-46 deficit, while Cobram will look to hold on for a memorable upset.
Update 3.35pm- Tigers threatening boilover
After trailing at quarter time, Cobram now finds itself ahead 39-14 over Congupna in the senior grand final.
Meanwhile, Rumbalara’s dominance in A-grade continued in an 11-goal win over Nathalia.
Update 3.20pm- Kilmartin elated after gritty performance
Moama player coach Jake Kilmartin shared his thoughts after a heroic performancd from his side earned it the reserves flag.
“It’s bloody unreal,” Kilmartin said post game.
“It was a tough game and took us four quarters to get there but we just used the breeze well in the last quarter and that was pretty much the difference.
“We just grinded hard, the boys in the midfield and down back killed it today.
In the seniors decider, Congupna leads Cobram 13-7 at quarter time.
Although Nathalia had its noses in front early, Rumbalara is minutes from back-to-back A-grade titles, leading 51-40 in the last quarter.
Update 2.18pm- Mowers swoop from the clouds to take reserves title
In a grandstand finish, Moama has edged Congupna 4.8 (32) to 4.6 (29) to take the reserves premiership.
After trailing for most of the games, the Mowers went ahead with around five minutes to play, and desperately held off the Road in defensive 50 over the final 60 seconds.
Update 2.10pm- Premiers celebrate junior flags
Update 1.50pm- Tonny grabs netball double
The Blues have managed to take home not one, but two flags on the court so far, claiming victory in B-grade and C-reserve.
Tongala’s B-grade unit came out on top against Moama 41-35 while the C-reserve Blues got it done against Nathalia in emphatic fashion, cruising past for a 52-40 triumph.
On field, Moama still trails Congupna in the reserves at the start of the fourth quarter with both sides struggling impact the scoreboard.
The Magpies will have to cut down an 11-point deficit to fly the flag with scores currently sitting at 4.5 (29) to 2.6 (18).
Update 1.10pm - Congupna take early lead in reserves grand final
The Road has come out strong in the reserves grand final against Moama, nailing three goals in the first term while keeping the Magpies scoreless.
Moama finally jagged one back with Congupna keeping on the steady path with the scores at 4.0 (25) to 1.3 (9) at half time.
On the court, Tongala lead Moama 24-22 in a tight B-grade decider while the C-reserve Blues also lead Nathalia 30-26.
Update 12.40pm- Carter praises Moama’s performance under pressure
Moama’s 15-and-under coach Carri Carter was thrilled to see her side claim another premiership on Murray League grand final day.
“I feel like we’ve had a great season and they’ve just topped it off today,” she said
Cobram took it to the Mowers in the first half, but the defending champion demonstrated its quality after the break.
“That’s what finals is all about,” Carter said.
“They probably haven’t felt that pressure as much, so the privilege of pressure sometimes is awesome, and they stepped up when they needed to.”
Update 12.33pm- Hooppell elated with 17-and-under win
After a nail-biting, one-goal win in the 17-and-under grand final, Echuca United coach Leesa Hooppell expressed her excitement for her squad.
“Just absolute pure relief,” she said.
“I can’t believe we got over the line, excited for the girls.
“There’s a lot of girls there today that haven’t even been in a final, let alone a grand final so extremely proud and excited.”
Update 12.13pm
Despite a valiant last gasp effort by Moama, it wasn’t enough to catch Cobram, with the Tigers holding firm to capture the flag 7.9 (51) to 7.3 (45).
Moama’s Hamish Boyd was named best-on-ground in the grand final.
Tongala completed its undefeated campaign in C-grade, defeating Congupna 41-29.
Update 12pm
Moama has taken the 15-and-under netball title 31-26.
Tongala looks poised to claim the win in C-grade, with a commanding lead in the fourth period.
Cobram is on top of Moama by 11 points with five to go in the under-17s footy.
Update 11.45am
Moama holds a steady four-goal lead at three quarter time over Cobram in the 15-and-under netball decider 23-19.
Meanwhile, Tongala looks primed to claim the chocolates in the C-grade grand final, leading 20-15 at the major break.
On the field, Cobram has stormed back after trailing early to Moama in the under-17s grand final, creating a 6.5 (41) to 4.3 (27) advantage at three-quarter time.
Update 11.10am
In a thrilling finish, Echuca United has taken the 17-and-under premiership 47-46 over Moama.
As the Mowers launched a final attack, the crowd was so boisterous that many didn’t hear the final siren sound as the ball made its entry into the attacking circle.
In the under-14 football, Cobram picked up the win over the Deniliquin 7.10 (52) to 4.7 (31).
Moama has taken an early lead over Cobram in the under-17s football, leading 3.3 (21) to 2.1 (13) in the second period.
The 15-and-under netball between Moama and Cobram, and the C-grade between Tongala and Congupna are underway
Update 10.40am
In an absolute heart stopper, Moama’s 13-and-under netballers weathered a valiant fight from Mulwala to capture the flag yet again.
With scores level at 29-29 at the end of regulation, the Magpies kept one step ahead and eventually broke away to secure a 36-34 victory in overtime.
Update 10am
On the court, Moama is hotly contesting both the 13-and-under and 17-and-under netball grand finals against Mulwala and Echuca United, respectively.
In the 13-and-under clash, the Magpies weathered an early barrage by the Lions to emerge two goals clear 14-12 at half time.
Its still anyone’s game in the 17-and-under contest with scores all tied up at 23-23 between the arch-rivals with half time looming.
Update 9.15am
The first clash of the morning has kicked off in the under-14 football, with Cobram taking on Deniliquin Rams.
The Rams kicked the first goal of the game but Cobram have just matched the effort to equalise at 8-8 shortly before the end of the first period.
The first netball games will begin at 9.30am, with Moama taking on Mulwala in 13-and-under, and the Mowers battling Echuca United in 17-and-under.