Owen Conway exerted his influence across the field, fighting off three Moama opponents in the Lions 7 point win to book their place in the 2023 MFL Grand Final this weekend. Photo – Andrea Sissons.
Photo by
Andrea Sissons
Mulwala 1.2, 2.3, 4.8, 8.9.57.
Moama 4.0, 5.5, 6.6, 7.8.50.
Goals: Mulwala: Sean Robinson 2, Owen Conway 1, Matt Gorman 1, Charley McKenna 1, Jackson Meade 1, Jack Sutherland 1, Thomas Wilson 1.
Moama: Mitchell Bell 1, Callum Doyle 1, Dougal McKindlay 1, Nicholas Pavlou 1, Jack Russell 1, Jobe Shanahan 1, Thomas Sheldon 1.
Best: Mulwala: Owen Conway, Matthew Gorman, Ronald Harley Middleton, James Wilson, Thomas Wilson, Nathan McNair.
Moama: Jack Russell, Jack Sheldon, Jordan Ives, Dougal McKindlay, Callum Doyle, Mitchell Bell.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The senior Mulwala Lions are preparing to make a tilt at claiming back-to-back premierships this weekend as they take on Congupna in the 2023 Murray Football League Grand Final in Moama.
The Lions held top spot for the entirety of the 2023 season but have taken the long road to the main day in September as they lost to their grand final opponent in the second semi final to earn a chance to face them again after claiming the preliminary final by 7 points.
Mulwala looked sluggish early in the game as Moama came out with run and carry looking the much better team early in the game.
Matt Gorman was in everything early with a brilliant contest in the middle of the ground and sublime delivery into the forward line led to Jack Sutherland kicking Mul’s first and only goal in the first quarter as Moama kicked four straight taking the lead.
Coach Rohan Davies expressed his concern as only he can to the team at quarter time and the Mulwala pressure that was evident throughout the year began to increase.
Thomas Wilson moved up a level in the last quarter, chasing this ball with all of his speed. Photo – Andrea Sissons.
Photo by
Andrea Sissons
James Wilson and Nathan McNair were prolific in defense ensuring that Moama were unable to increase their lead going into halftime as they were still controlling most of the play.
Mulwala came out in the second half a much more determined outfit and began to regain possession around the ground as Owen Conway began exerting his influence at the ruck contests and across the field.
After a contested 10-minute period of football that could determine the outcome of the game began moving Mulwala’s way, it was Owen that kicked truly from 50 metres out to reward the team for their strong work.
Brodie Tyson executes a handball away as he is tackled around the legs by an opponent.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Sean Robinson showed his class kicking a beautiful snap deep and Mulwala were suddenly back in the game.
Inaccuracy would prove the difference heading into three quarter time as Mulwala had more possession of the footy but unable to capitalize to get themselves in front.
Harley Middleton was moved into the centre square and along with Gorman were winning the ball out of the middle for Mulwala.
Having been good all-day Thomas Wilson moved up a level in the last as the entire team began to hunt Moama like Lions not allowing their running game to progress from the stoppages.
Jack Sutherland contests a ruck tap and looks to knock the ball to a teammate.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
The combination of Conway and Gorman willed themselves from contest to contest and were incredible in the final stages as Mulwala, through some brilliant Jackson Meade maneuvers got themselves in the game.
When Gorman kicked goal of the match late in the quarter Mulwala hit the lead and were looking good but the contest was still alive when Brodie Tyson took a Leo Barry style mark deep in defense and Lachlan Rouel put his body on the line multiple times to ensure that Moama were not able to get back in front.
The crowd were on the edge of their seats in the final minutes as Charley McKenna kicked a goal on the siren and Mulwala held on in a thrilling match that will go down as one of the great preliminary finals of the Murray League.
Jake Dalgleish looks to spoil a flying mark.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
The team now marches onto the Grand Final and will be looking to go Back-to-Back Premiers on Saturday at Moama.
The Lions look forward to seeing all of their loyal supporters make the trek to support the Seniors, Reserves and A-Grade netball in their premiership quest.
Best: Mulwala: Brock Johnson, Baxter Donovan, Jack Walls, Mitchell Appleby, Riley Mitchell, Josh Eder.
Moama: Samuel Hooppell, Curtis Wood, Oscar Richards, Riley Chilver, Archie Peat, Rhys Drennan.
The groundwork for success put in place by the coaching staff throughout the year was evident early as Mulwala were matching their opponents in transition across the ground.
Josh Eder was given the task of nullifying the senior Moama players and was working hard to provide extra run off his man.
Brock Johnson was once again winning the ruck contests and contesting the ground balls in exemplary fashion and working hard all over the ground.
Although missing some set shot opportunities in front of goal allowed the more accurate Moama to be in front at half-time, Mulwala had more time in possession throughout the first half.
Jack Walls and Riley Mitchell were fantastic at the defensive end of the ground and were able to stem the opposition scoring as Moama continued to attack in the third quarter as the game began to slip away from Mulwala.
Coach House asked his players for a concerted effort in the last quarter and the entire team responded, keeping Moama scoreless in the last quarter whilst the hard work of Baxter Donovan and Mitch Appleby that was evident throughout the game was rewarded in the forward line.
The coaching staff of Mark House, Dennis Phibbs, Luke Brennan, Rocky Leith and Scoffa O’Bryan could not be prouder of the work ethic and improvement in the boys and acknowledged that as a team they have overachieved on the expectations of all those at the club.
They have also represented Mulwala with distinction, discipline and class throughout the year and look forward to going to another level in 2024.
