MFL | Mulwala powers into grand final as Moama’s Cinderella story comes to a close

Mulwala would continue to grind its opposition into the ground as it kicked 16 goals to Moama’s four through the first three quarters, holding a commanding 74-point advantage at the final change.

While the Pies kicked four goals to one in the final quarter, the Lions’ focus had already shifted to this week as they gear up for an epic decider against Cobram at Moama Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

“It is a great feeling to be in the grand final, we had a game plan, some good ideas of what they were going to do and, luckily for us, it all went to plan,” Mulwala co-coach Rohan Davies said.

“A bit of luck went into it, especially with that first quarter, but our delivery to our forwards was perfect and the boys just ran so hard both ways.

“Everything went well for us, it looked like it was well coached and well executed and we just had one of those days.”

Conditions were great at Hardinge Street Oval, with a bumper crowd in to watch the preliminary final action.

Mulwala won the toss and it was a sign of things to come for the Lions as they booted nine of the first 10 goals.

Bodhi Butts got the first goal of the game inside two minutes for the Lions, before Jye Warren answered for Moama shortly after for his side’s first.

But the rest of the term was all Mulwala, as it piled on eight unanswered goals to blow the game wide open.

The Lions’ ability to find players in space made it seem as if they had two extra players out on the park, as they opened up a formidable 49-point lead at quarter-time.

Mulwala shared the ball around and had seven different goal-scorers in the first term, with Jack Sutherland kicking two.

Moama needed a strong response in the second quarter, but it was Mulwala picking up where it left off as Sean Robinson goaled early to extend his side’s lead.

Again, it was Warren who answered for Moama, kicking a much-needed goal early in the term, his second of the afternoon.

The two sides then traded goals, with Gash kicking truly for Mulwala before Riley Murphy snagged Moama’s third.

The Magpies were starting to win more of the ball and most of the play was in their forward half, but they couldn’t capitalise on the scoreboard.

Moama had eight scoring shots to Mulwala’s three in the second quarter, but its 2.6 to the Lions’ 2.1 meant it could only cut the deficit by five points to trail by 45 at half-time.

The Magpies’ hopes of a second-half comeback took a blow early in the third quarter when Cameron Magher goaled to push the lead back out beyond 50 points.

The Lions kicked the next five goals to blow out the margin to 80 points, before Mitchell Bell kicked Moama’s lone goal for the quarter late on.

The result was beyond doubt heading into the fourth term and, once again, it was Mulwala that kicked the opening goal before coasting its way to the 57-point win.

“They gave us a hiding,” Moama coach Sam Sheldon said after the loss.

“They played the best that they can, they have some big boys in the midfield that did the job early.

“We were on the back foot and it just got too far gone too early. They had a plan and executed it well and we just couldn’t go with them.

“It’s disappointing to go out like that, but it has been a really good year.”

Cobram and Mulwala will now face off in the Murray Football League decider, which will be held at Moama on Saturday, September 17, with the opening bounce at 2.30pm.