Pies power themselves to under-14 immortality as Cobram fall at final hurdle

By Josh Huntly

Sep 19, 2023

Caught: Cobram's Lucas Orsida lays a tackle. Photo by Aydin Payne

Cobram has fallen at the final hurdle in the Murray Football League under-14s grand final.

The young Tigers were no match for a rampant Moama - who capped off an unblemished season.

Cobram battled hard against the dominant Magpies and had strong contributors from Rocco Anastasio, Lenny Power, Sam Slatterie, Riley Thompson and Kynan Knight.

However, the youngsters could not end the year on a high and were defeated by 83 points.

Yellow and black army: The Cobram faithful show their support. Photo by Aydin Payne

It’s the pass mark every club and team aspires to, and it’s one Moama passed with flying colours in Saturday’s decider.

The under-14 Pies etched themselves into the history books by capping off an undefeated season against Cobram, simply unstoppable en route to the clubs first flag in the grade since 2014.

After falling by three points in last year’s decider against the Tigers, there was no mistaking the top side this time around as Adrian Dohnt’s group capped off a dominant campaign with an 83-point win.

in the zone: Cobram's Sebastian Mustica has eyes on the ball. Photo by Aydin Payne

“To be honest it was probably our best performance of the year,” Pies coach Dohnt said.

“We had a bit of a game plan before the start of the game and they executed it for four quarters. It was brilliant.

“It was just about our pressure on the ball, it’s the first time all year we’ve had dry conditions. We train in these conditions and it’s good they’ve been able to execute their skills on a good day.”

That's mine: Cobram's Josh Kelf takes possession. Photo by Aydin Payne

Mac Hooppell and Beau Chapman kicked the first goals to fire Moama to a 14-point lead at quarter-time, while Jackson Groves and Campbell McCarty booted two in the second.

With a 28-point half-time lead, Kobe Atkinson’s stunning goal on the run from the pocket towards the Perricoota St end perhaps best exemplified a slick Moama performance.

But they weren’t done yet.

Air duel: Cobram's Josh Kelf competes in the ruck. Photo by Aydin Payne

Bohdi Teasdale-Dohnt and Fred Peat worked well in the midfield, while Groves added another two to his tally to send the Pies on their way to September glory.

Teasdale-Dohnt, Hooppell, and Charlie Reardon put the final touches on a glorious performance with a flurry of goals.

“(The players) are brilliant,” Dohnt said.

“Having the 14s and 17s into the grand final, I think the future of Moama is bright if these boys stick together.”

Almost a week after claiming the under-14 league best-and-fairest, Pies ruckman Fred Peat added another medal to his collection.

Peat was a massive presence for Moama in the air and at ground level to snag the best-on-ground medal, capping off a stellar season for the promising Pies tall.