The Tigers started well, leading the Road 20-15 at the first break, however, Congupna stormed ahead to 21-point half-time lead, despite losing BJ Squire to an injury in the early stages of the contest.
Congupna kept a firm grip on proceedings to run out 96-53 winners with Daniel Campbell kicking five goals for the match.
Cobram coach Josh Noonan admitted it was always going to be a tough ask for his injury-riddled side to knock off the Road, a side which had lost just one in its past six games.
‘‘They had all the momentum going into the match,’’ Noonan said.
‘‘We didn’t have the momentum like last year and they caught us out. ‘‘It would have been good to get a reward after a pretty tough year.’’
The defeat brings down the curtain on Noonan’s term as Cobram coach after three seasons in charge.
He said injuries curtailed his team this year, but believed he was leaving the side, which finished rock bottom of the league in 2015, in a good position after reaching back-to-back finals series.
‘‘We put everything in the right direction this year and the proof of that was in beating Nathalia in round one,’’ he said.
‘‘We battled hard to win games and in the end it was a war of attrition — inconsistencies regarding player changes every week made it hard to maintain any momentum.
‘‘There have been 43 players run through seniors this year, which is just crazy, and if things had gone our way (in terms of injuries) our reserves would probably have been playing finals as well.
‘‘I am very proud to come into the club and be able to leave in a better position than I went into it. ‘‘I am proud of the group and the young kids who have come through.
I believe the club is in good shape and hopefully it is set up for sustained success in the future.’’
Noonan had no immediate coaching plans, instead wanting to take a step back and follow his two girls, who played netball for Cobram.
Cobram’s under-17s and under-14s also played in finals on the weekend. The under-17s had a 20-point loss to Rumbalara in a qualifying final, meaning the side will play Tongala in a semi-final at Nathalia this weekend. The under-14s were crunched 81-13 by Echuca United in the qualifying final. The side will look to rebound in a semi-final at home against Tongala.
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