Moama endures tough loss against minor premier

By Alexander Dabb

Aug 20, 2023

Solid contributor: Fraser Verhey, pictured against Rumbalara, was among the best for Moama in its loss to Mulwala. Photo: Gregor Mactaggart Photo by Gregor Mactaggart

A trip away to face reigning premier Mulwala was on the fixture for Moama in the final home-and-away game for the season.

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The last meeting between the two sides was way back on the first Saturday in April, an instant classic to open the season with the Lions snatching a two-point win over the Magpies after a goal with the final kick of the game.

The result wouldn’t come down to the final seconds this time around, however, as Moama was unable to match the might of the minor premier away from home, convincingly beaten 4.5 (29) to 10.9 (69).

“First half we were pretty good, pretty competitive, and I think we were right up there matching them pretty well,” Moama coach Sam Sheldon said.

“They just sort of got a hold of us there in the second half and took their chances and gave us a bit of a touch-up in the end.”

Despite Moama not registering a goal in the first half, the Lions led by just 24 points, with Sheldon feeling his side was not entirely outplayed before half-time.

“We were more than competitive, they just kicked straight and we couldn’t get shots on goal, so that hurt,” he said.

“A few things didn’t go our way, that’s just how it went.”

While the result was obviously not what the Magpies were looking for ahead of their elimination final next week, they did receive a boost in the form of 2022 best-and-fairest Nick Pavlou, who played his first game after a hamstring injury earlier this season.

“It was good to get a run under his belt,” Sheldon said.

“(Liam) Ritchie was back as well and Jye Smith, so we had a few blokes coming back in that hadn’t played for a fair period.

“It was good for them to get a run under their belt before finals, and we will be stronger for that for sure going into next week.”

Sheldon said there was plenty to be learnt from the loss, which comes just a week before the intensity goes to another level during finals.

The Magpies will come up against Nathalia next weekend at Echuca South, with the Purples having been the in-form team over the past month of football.

“There’s a lot of things we will take out of the game going into next week,” Sheldon said.

“We’ve just got to figure out who’s available and put a bit of a plan together to attack Nathalia and give it our best shot.

“They beat us last time we played them, so they’d be pretty confident coming in. We’ve just got to show up and put our best foot forward and I think it’s more than good enough to get the job done.

“It’s just another game of footy, but obviously it’s do-or-die. You’ve got to do everything pretty right, because if you lose, it’s all over.

“(We will) just prepare right, train well and get into it.”