Finley thirds defeat arch rivals Deni
Taking on our arch rival Deniliquin at Congupna in an elimination final, the Finley Football Netball Club thirds showed their class and determination.
The first bounce saw Liam Rafferty give our midfield first use.
With strong presence in the forward line, Harvey Sneddon, Jonty King and Reece Simmons were a headache for the opposition.
Through team pressure, Lenny Dattoli was able to kick our first as the excitement grew amongst the players.
Deni had a forward entry, only for Harrison King to spoil strongly and clear the ball 20m away.
As the young cats transitioned the footy forward, Matt Whelan slotted his first.
Lenny kicked his second and a mark just before quarter time saw Wheels kick a long range goal to have his second.
The team was on a high, as the Cats held a four goal lead at quarter time 4.1 (25) to 0.1 (1).
The second quarter saw Deni kick with a slight breeze, and the message was to hold the current margin.
Patrick Waugh locked down his opponent and gave run from the backline, as Angus Hay and Jordan Sykes repelled everything across out half back line.
Harry Boyd showed his true character taking hard knocks, dusting himself off and collecting more hard balls while setting up play through silky hands.
Half-time saw the Cats hold the same margin 4.2 (26) to 0.2 (2).
The third quarter saw the class of Cruz Nash rise.
He had multiple inside 50s, allowing a Harvey Sneddon mark who in turn kicked a bullet pass to Lenny to kick his third.
It was a case of ‘Play it again Sam’ as Wheels kicked his third, and the margin was at 40 points late in the third.
That was before Kohan Joseph laid two big tackles to keep the ball in our forward line, and some smart positioning by Jonty allowed Lenny to bag his fourth.
Three quarter time saw Finley 7.6 (48) to Deni 0.3 (3).
Jack Hay enjoyed his best game, picking the ball up cleanly at every contest and breaking the game open with his pace.
It allowed Lenny his fifth goal, early in the last.
Tyrell Taylor and Zac Everingham showed great discipline in the back pockets, whilst Roree Wallis, Riley Sutton, Jack and George Koschel all stuck to the team plan.
As the game was nearing its end, Isaac Lunn and Nathan Brown continued their great form.
And Harvey bagged himself a goal for all the hard work he put in.
Final score: Finley 9.10 (64) to Deni 0.4 (4).
Best: L Dattoli, J Hay, M Whelan, C Nash, H King, L Rafferty.
Goals: L Dattoli 5, M Whelan 3, H Sneddon.