Moama outdone by Nathalia in arm wrestle

With a strong wind blowing across the ground not favouring either side, the Magpies were kept goalless in the first quarter, but responded well to go into the half-time break five points ahead.

But another goalless term for the Pies in the third handed the Purples a two-point advantage at three-quarter-time.

While Moama kicked two goals in the final term, they were unable to match Nathalia’s four, eventually going down 5.7 (37) to 7.8 (50).

Moama coach Sam Sheldon was fairly blunt in his assessment of the game.

“They were harder for longer,” he said.

“A few things let us down and they punished us for it really.

“Conditions were bad, but they dropped a lot of numbers behind the ball, and we just couldn't score.

“It was a hard, highly fought contest, a really physical game, and we were just out-toughed in the end. It was a good lesson for the boys, I think, going forward."

As a side looking to go deep into September this season, Moama’s playing group will be able to take something from the way Nathalia’s players went about it on Saturday, according to Sheldon.

“Obviously the conditions really didn't help and we had a fair few boys out, but at the end of the day you still have to win with what you've got,” he said.

“I think a few boys in that side yesterday learnt a good lesson about what it actually takes.

“They (Nathalia) are a proud club and there are some really good players in that side who have done it for a long time, and they were able to get across the line with the conditions and everything yesterday and we weren't.

“That's why they've been so good for a long time, and that's something we are aspiring to be like. I don't think we played badly by any means, we just weren't good enough on the day.”

There were still a number of good individual performances from players such as Mitch Bell, who kicked two goals as Moama’s best, while James Whitehead stood up too.

"There was a lot of positive stuff out of the game,” Sheldon said.

“Mitchy Bell is coming along in leaps and bounds, he's a great kid and I'm really excited to see how good he can be in the future and if he keeps going the way he's going, who knows.

“James Whitehead, he's going well, he played a good game I thought.”

2021 best and fairest Fraser Verhey was also strong, as he continues to build after his return to the side mid-year following a stint at Bendigo Football League outfit Eaglehawk.

"He's a classy player, he's got a good hardness about him,” Sheldon said of Verhey.

“It's just good to have quality people around your club, and better when they can actually play as well. We're lucky to get him home, and he will just get better once he sort of finds his feet again in the side.”

Moama (9-4) slip to third on the ladder following the loss and will next week face Tongala (3-10) in a bid to regain a top-two ladder position.

"It'll be another tough challenge, I think Tonny are not a bad side by any stretch, so it will be a good contest,” Sheldon said.

“We need to pull our socks up and get back on the horse, so I'm sure the boys will be roaring to get training, there was a few disappointed boys after the game.

“Next week can't come quick enough I don't think.”