Finley is still in the Murray Football League finals race after a crucial win against Tongala on Saturday.
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The Cats had no choice but to win Saturday's contest if they wanted to taste knockout action this season - and that is exactly what they managed to do.
Tom Doyle's troops charged out of the gate - as they have done many times this year - to pile on six goals to three at quarter-time and 11 to four at the main break.
An arm wrestle of a third term gave way to a mini comeback attempt by the Blues in the last stanza, but eventually the home side hung on to a comfortable 14.11 (95) to 9.9 (63) win at Finley Recreation Reserve.
Paul Massingham was one of the stars of the show in attack for the Cats with four goals, joined by Luke Bramley (three) in putting in a damaging shift up forward.
Mat Wilson, Zec Cuppens, Luke Moore, Levi Middleton and Kane Murphy also impressed to help Finley draw within two points of eighth spot on the ladder.
"All the young guys really stood up," Doyle said.
"We're not really saying the finals word but it's all about good efforts, and we've put in three good efforts in a row now.
"We had 21 really good contributors, which was great to see. I think about a month ago we were on a bit of a slippery slope with a few injuries to our more experienced players, but it's been pleasing the way we've been able to turn it around."
Brayden Nevett, Jayden Tucker, Jack Hammond, Cam Ilett, Corey Nexhip and Riley Bacon battled hard for the Blues, who may lament letting this contest get away when finals arrive as it will likely cost them a double chance.
"Finley are a side who had to win this match in order to keep their finals hopes alive," Tongala coach Jordan Souter told the Riverine Herald.
"As a group, there may have been an element of thinking they were a side we were able to beat who we could possibly go through the motions with as we played and so we may not have been as switched on as we should have been for the contest.
"This is a very young group of footballers, the boys are continuing to learn as players, but they're also developing in the way they approach football. This was a lesson for them about not taking things for granted and assuming we would be able to get things done."
Mulwala also secured a brilliant victory on Saturday, defeating fierce rival Tungamah 11.8 (74) to 10.10 (70) to rise into third spot on the table - pending results from the second half of the split round.
The Lions had control of the game for most of the day, but had to stave off a late charge from the Bears to claim all four points.
Reece Geary, Tim Doyle, Cameron Carling, Josh Hammond, Beau Clarke and Jackson Gash starred for the home side at Lonsdale Reserve, while for Tungamah it was Nick Irvine, Terence Jones and Chris Powell standing tall.
Congupna almost created a boilover at Nathalia Recreation Reserve before the Purples pulled away for an 11.13 (79) to 9.8 (62) triumph.
The Road kept pace with Nathalia for the entire clash, but could only manage one major in the final stanza.
Alex Hicks, Ryan Butler and Drew Barnes impressed for the Purples - as did Liam Evans with three goals - while BJ Squire, Jimmy Boyer, Tate Mifka and Daniel Campbell (three goals) led the way for Congupna.
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