New-look Moama downed by steady Nathalia in opening contest

By Oliver Shedden

Apr 6, 2025

Moama coach Liam Barrett had a good on-field performance in round one, finding himself named as one of the Magpies’ best. Photo: File.

As we enter the 2025 season, it’ll take some time for sides with player overhaul to settle into their new units and form team chemistry, which was the case for Moama, which was outclassed by a Nathalia side with plenty of continuity.

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The Purples opened their Murray Football League account on home turf as they notched a humble 25-point win against the Magpies.

From the first quarter it was apparent that there was some sort of disparity between the two sides as Nathalia kicked three goals to Moama’s one.

Yet, for the Magpies it didn’t seem to be an issue of talent, as they have plenty of talent, more just getting used to playing as one as they got themselves back into the contest in the second period.

Nathalia struck again to open the second quarter, but it was Moama that wrestled back momentum in the lead up to half-time, kicking three unanswered goals to leave the sides level at the major break.

The Magpies didn’t stop there and carried their flow into the third term, but Nathalia managed to find its feet, getting ahead early with goals by Liam Evans and Clancy Congues.

Yet, Moama refused to let the game go, again kicking three goals in the back end of the quarter to leave the game on a knife’s edge with one frame to play.

Unfortunately, the Magpies ended the way they began and couldn’t find the gears they had through the middle sections of the game, letting Nathalia get away.

Moama couldn’t slot one through the middle at all in the fourth quarter and was forced to settle for two behinds, while the Purples bagged four maximums in reply.

Ultimately, the Magpies were brought undone by their start and finish, with Nathalia getting over the top to end the match 7.6 (48) to 11.7 (73).

Aron Burns and Jack Harland led the way on the attack for Moama tallying two goals each, with Harland joined by James Whitehead, Zac Stovell, Liam Barrett, Tobias Thoolen and Rhys Drennan on the best on list.