However the sun shone for the first half and Finley bounced out of the blocks with a six goal to one first quarter.
The first quarter Finley kicked with the breeze and started with six individual goal scorers.
They were dominating centre clearances through Will Sexton and Charlie Ford, and this allowed their forwards to capitalise on the scoreboard.
The Cats’ defence was close checking led by Duncan Clarke, Liam Rafferty along with Matt Jackson repelling any of Tongala’s attacks.
The Cats led by 29-points at the first break.
The second quarter saw Tongala start to work their way into the contest.
This was led by Dominic Watt and Jack Sinclair.
They got on top around the contest and were able to kick three goals while keeping Finley goalless.
The Cats still led by 11 points at the main break but understood Tongala was now in the competition.
Finley started the third quarter again with the breeze, although not as strong as it was in the first.
Goals to Tom Lang, Ethan Reeves and one to Angus Robertson on the siren gave the Cats breathing space.
They had a 20 point lead going into the last change.
Scoring became difficult in the last term as both sides were hard at the contest. Either side scoring one goal each.
Finley’s defence stood tall, along with half forwards Archie Mason and Robert Kirby to allow the Cats to come away with a hard fought 19-point victory.
There are now four sides on 28 points battling out the last two spots in the final six.
With a general bye this week, all sides will freshen up for a run at the finals.
Final scores: Finley 10.10 (70) def Tongala 7.9 (51).
Goals: Tom Lang 2, Ethan Reeves, Mitchell Reilly 1, Paul Massingham, Archie Mason, Bailey Reeves, Angus Robertson, Charlie Lang.
Best: Duncan Clarke, Will Sexton, Robert Kirby, Sam Hatty, Archie Mason, Ethan Reeves.
Awards: Garnaut Private Wealth - Duncan Clarke; Finley Country Club - Rob Kirby; Eagle i Machinery - Sam Hatty; Finley RSC - Archie Mason; Kelly Grain - Zye Treadway.
Ressies had the dreaded trip to Tongala with the late exclusion of a few senior players further depleting our side, but the boys turned up to play against the ladder leaders.
The on ball brigade, Ossie, Burkey, Jimmy and Coombsy were phenomenal all day, hunting the footy with intent and purpose.
Bubba Kennedy led the way once again kicking a couple of majors and giving us the lead Midway through the last quarter.
Jack Hay’s tackle pressure was A1 as were the efforts of Robbie Hamann and Nath Denny.
Unfortunately we didn't come home with a win but it was by far our best performance of the year.
Final scores: Tongala 4.13 (37) def Finley 4.5 (29).
Goals: James Kennedy 2, Robbie Hamann 1, Nathan Denny.
Best: James Kennedy, Robbie Hamann, James McCaw, Bailey Coombs, Liam Osborne, Nathan Denny.
Awards: Marshall Ag - James Kennedy; Travla Beer - Liam Osborne; Peter Scott Electrical - Jack Hay; Kalangadoo Nursery - James McCaw; Ryan Donkin Painting - Robbie Hamann.
The long drive to take on Tongala, which this game would give them a much needed chance at finals and the Cats were looking to put that to bed.
In the wet conditions moving the footy was going to be hard and the message of kick it to the top of the goal square when you have the chance was key.
It was an arm wrestle in the midfield with Doug Billings back and giving first use in slippery conditions to Harry Boyd, Angus Hay and Will Doolan who again was at his tackling best.
The first goal came soon from Lenny Dattoli before another not long after from Harvey Sneddon to end the quarter.
The second quarter saw Tongala fight back with two goals of their own.
Zach Everingham was doing the bulk of the work in the second term, dominating the backline, even taking the ruck duties when he had to.
Finley kicked one goal to reply, with Angus Hay putting the footy at the top of the goal square and finding Lenny.
After a bit of a rev up we saw the Cats go to work again with Jonty King finding himself on the end of a few opportunities, kicking a nice goal in the third and managing to set up a couple throughout the game.
The fourth quarter saw James McNamara come to the fore, kicking a very nice soccer goal, the first of his career.
Rightly so, the boys got around him and helped him celebrate.
Not done with that, McNamara had multiple pressure acts and won ruck-taps to give first use to his midfield.
The Cats got one more in the last through some really good midfield work, with Angus again finding Lenny directly in front.
Still working hard to the final siren the Cats held on by four goals.
Final scores: Finley 6.9 (45) def Tongala 3.3 (21).
Goals: Lenny Dattoli 3, Harvey Sneddon 1, James McNamara, Jonty King.
Best: James McNamara, Lenny Dattoli, Doug Billings, Jonty King, Harry Boyd, Zac Everingham.
Awards: Finley RSC - James McNamara; Ross and Sarah - Lenny Dattoli; Finley Bakery - Doug Billings; Three Rivers Excavations - Jonty King; Kalangadoo Nursery - Harry Boyd; Thompson Service Centre - Zac Everingham.
Travelling to Tongala we should have packed flippers.
In the first quarter, we let a few team goals slip and allowed Tongala to kick the first two goals, which was always going to be hard to pull back on a wet day.
We had multiple forward entries and couldn’t capitalise the opportunities.
Nick Chesworth was playing such a great roll in the backline keeping the side in the game, captain Ben Rourke was back to his best with run downs galore, Campbell Reynolds and Paddy Billings work rate was exceptional, Jason Hay was presenting well and Ryan Bauer never disappoints.
The second quarter was scoreless for both sides and you could feel the belief in the boys to make a comeback. The third quarter had a few Tongala lads un-manned and a few frees in front of goal and boy did Tongala jump on that.
It was at this stage we conceded the game and took the opportunity to get some juniors on the ground for some experience.
The work rate was really good by the whole team, it was concentration lapses that cost us and a really big ask for the older boys to run the whole game out week in week out.
Final scores: Tongala 10.3 (63) def Finley 0.1 (1).
Best: Ben Rourke, Paddy Billings, Ryan Bauer, Campbell Reynolds, Nick Chesworth, Adam Chellew.
Awards: Finley RSC - Ben Rourke; Finley Bakery - Paddy Billings; Kalangadoo Nursery - Ryan Bauer; Bauer Family - Campbell Reynolds; Sportspower Coaches Award - Nick Chesworth; Lucas McCaw - Adam Chellew.
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