Young guns wow with lion-hearted battle
Finley selected a very young team to play Mulwala at Mulwala on Saturday.
Injury and unavailability saw selectors turn to youth against one of the ladder leaders.
Isaac Lunn was selected as the sub in his first game at this level, with older brother Nichollas.
The Cats began strongly with Lachy Hawkins controlling the ruck.
Benji Neal was strong around the stoppages and provided plenty of drive.
Shaun Kable presented strongly and his mark and goal early in the first term delighted the supporters.
Clever veteran Paul Massingham followed up shortly after with a quick snap off the pack to post the second for the term.
Defenders Isaac Corvo, Charlie Ford and Zye Treadway tried valiantly, repelling many forward entries from the Lions.
The margin was 23 points at the first break.
Neal kicked the visitors’ third goal early in the second term, but that was to be their only goal for the stanza.
Ethan Reeves continued to battle hard all day, as did playing coach Angus Robertson.
The bigger bodied home side took control of the match, recording a comfortable 125-point win.
Final score: Mulwala 24.14
(158) def 5.5 (35).
The scoreboard didn’t reflect the manner in which the Cats attacked the challenge, and they will be better for the experience.
Cruz Nash, Lenny Detoli, Harrison King, Isaac Lunn and Patrick Waugh all performed at the level required.
Reserves: Mulwala 17.15 (117) def Finley 4.4 (28).
The thirds started slow as the young Lions played their hearts out in front of their home crowd.
The scores at quarter-time were locked up at 2.1 (13) a piece.
The second quarter saw Finley’s class rise to the top.
They controlled the game kicking three goals to Mulwala’s one, before a free kick on the half-time siren allowed Mulwala to get back within a goal.
Lenny Dattoli continued his impressive goalkicking to have three at the main break, and Harry Boyd racked up multiple possession and also hit the scoreboard.
A few changes saw Zac Everingham go back to defence, and he played a quality game.
The third quarter was bizarre to say the least.
Finley had 10 scoring shots but could only manage one goal.
Kohan Joseph was showing his speed and class around the midfield and up forward, kicking two goals. Harrison King stayed strong in defence and Jack Hay’s run on the wing proved his return will bolster the side in coming weeks.
Harvey Sneddon continued to present at the footy up forward, as he stuck to the team first mantra.
The final quarter saw Finley kick two goals to Mulwala’s one, and run out 22-point victors.
Final score: Mulwala 6.2 (38) def by Finley 8.12 (60).
Best players: H Boyd, Z Everingham, J Hay, H King, H Sneddon & K Joseph.
Goals: L Dattoli 4, K Joseph 2, H Boyd, M Whelan.
Fourths: Mulawala 14.16 (100) def Finley 0.1 (1).