The Purples have been in fine form all season, so much so that they had already locked up top spot on the ladder prior to the final regular season contest, ensuring their clash against Cobram was a dead rubber on Saturday, with the Tigers already ruled out of finals contention.
But that didn’t stop Nathalia from rounding out a superb regular season on a high note, as the Purples recorded a ruthless 71-35 victory over the Tigers, wrapping up a 17-1 record to finish two clear of their nearest challenger on the ladder, and with the highest percentage across the competition too, as they head into the finals series as a formidable force.
The Purples will enjoy a week off this weekend by virtue of their position as minor premiers, before facing Mulwala in the second semi-final on September 5, as they look to lock in a spot in the grand final at the earliest possible time of asking.
Across the league in the final round, Rumbalara, the only side to defeat the Purples this season, locked in a fourth-placed finish, as it went toe-to-toe with Moama in an instant classic, pinching victory against the Mowers by a single goal to nab its 12th win of the season.
The reigning premier led by double digits mid way through the second quarter, but the Mowers would not let up, in an early preview of finals-like intensity.
Scrambling back into the fight in the third term, Moama chipped away at Rumba’s lead - an eight-goal half-time lead turned to one at the final change of ends.
The contest was back-and-forth in the final term, but a late goal for Rumba put it up by two goals in the final minute, with a last ditch goal by Moama’s Holly Swatton merely a consolation in the final seconds of a 51-50 full time result.
The Mowers and Rumba will take plenty of learnings out of the weekend’s clash though and be sure to analyse the match thoroughly, with the pair pitted against one another again next Saturday for an elimination final.
Elsewhere, Nathalia’s semi-final opponent and second-place finisher Mulwala closed out a comfortable final round win, beating Echuca United 71-50, while Tongala finished the season in third after beating Finley 69-43 at Finley Recreation Reserve, while Deniliquin’s 11-goal win over Congupna was not enought to climb over bye-holders Numurkah for sixth-place on the ladder.
Next week, the first elimination final on Saturday will be held at Moama Recreation Reserve between Tongala and Numurkah, before Rumbalara play Moama at Tongala Recreation Reserve on Sunday.
