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Even wet weather couldn’t rain on Murray League grand final parade
“A great day if you’re a duck.”
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This line from a member of the crowd to describe the wet conditions which greeted all and sundry at Moama Recreation Reserve on Saturday only added to the memories of what was a bumper Murray League grand final day.
For the first time since 2019, premiers were crowned across the football and netball competitions.
The sense of excitement and anticipation drew many from far and wide.
A look at the cars parked outside of the ground on the walk into the gates offered a glimpse of how far some had travelled.
Pigdon Holden, Cobram Toyota, Werribee Mazda, Darryl Twitt Motors, Ken Muston Motors, Wangaratta Mazda, Yarrawonga Toyota.
The wide footprint of the Murray League was well represented on the day.
The senior football and netball grand final teams Cobram, Mulwala, Deniliquin Rams and Rumbalara all travelled more than an hour to be there.
Moama, the host club, with six teams in action through various grades.
Tongala, Echuca United, Finley and Nathalia all represented.
Even those who didn’t have a team on the field, played their role.
Numurkah Football Netball Club volunteers ran the canteen, which was definitely the busiest place to be.
More so than the bars, you say.
Well, we did spy one teenager who was pressed into service to bring a number of bags of ice back to the bar using a wheelbarrow.
The ice-cold cans for $6 each (you can’t beat value) did prove popular on a day where the mercury barely climbed into double digits.
The weather gods may not have been on our side, but it did not detract from what was an action-packed day on the football ground and netball courts.
The crowd was lined a dozen deep on the netball courts as youngsters set the stage early before the senior players vied for premiership glory later in the afternoon.
The title honours were shared through the clubs with Moama landing three (B-grade, 17 and under, 13 and under), Deniliquin two (A-grade and 15 and under), Echuca United one (C-grade) and Finley (C-grade reserve).
Having previously covered two grand finals when Finley lost two senior grand finals in heartbreaking circumstances, it was good to see a Cats team celebrating on the main stage.
Fresh from winning a flag of their own, the Cobram fourths all sat together in a temporary stand on the outer side of the ground, waiting with anticipation for the seniors.
As they laughed and enjoyed each other’s company, one youngster, with his jumper on and medal around his neck, pulled it to his mouth to check whether it was the real thing.
Yeah mate, it was.
With the persistent showers, the most popular spot for many was on the clubrooms side, where you could get a bit of cover.
As far as vantage points go, it was semi-dry, and in the great thing about country football and netball, saw supporters of all clubs mixing together and enjoying each other’s company.
If the COVID pandemic robbed us of one thing, it was the chance to be with our mates and friendly adversaries, especially at the footy.
As the siren rang to crown another netball premier, the build-up for the senior contest was fast approaching.
With Cobram and Mulwala players taking the chance to shake some nerves by warming up on the ground at three-quarter time, the reserves grand final was at a critical juncture.
Moama held sway by two goals, but Tongala, looking for back-to-back premierships and also complete an undefeated season, had the advantage of the wind going to the Victorian end of the ground.
“Run, run, run,” was the message of the Moama co-coach Darcy Hall.
A wander over to the Tongala huddle saw this writer greeted with “you writing down notes for Moama’’.
“Nah, The Riv,” the reply.
“Okay.”
The sense of calm in the Tongala huddle extended to coach Steve Hammond, whose voice barely elevated above the general hubbub.
His measured, calm approach certainly did the trick after an even first 10 minutes of the final quarter, the Blues booted three goals in the space of four minutes (two from Zane Johnstone).
A further two goals saw the lead extend to 18 points in Tonny’s favour before Moama found one last par.
Two games in the space of 63 seconds cut the deficit to six points, the margin when the siren blew, sparking jubilant scenes for the Blues.
Such was the excitement in the Tongala camp, pleas from the ground announcer for the Blues to come to the presentation area went unnoticed for a few minutes.
By this time the rain had set in, and so too had Deniliquin’s lead in the A-grade netball decider against Rumbalara.
The Rams completed an unbeaten season, winning 44-33, much to the gold of the blue and gold faithful.
Back to the footy and Cobram burst out of the blocks like Usain Bolt, racing to a three-goal lead at the first change.
The second quarter was more of a stalemate, literally, although the Tigers were seemingly in control.
They don’t call the third term the premiership quarter for nothing and Mulwala dragged itself back into the game.
The Lions booted four goals to two as the sun again threatened to break through.
With rain still falling, Owen Conway trimmed the margin to two points, then Jamie Smith’s goal put Mulwala in front for the first time at the 17-minute mark of the final quarter.
It was a position the Lions would not relinquish, winning 7.5 (47) to 6.8 (44).
The siren sparked jubilant scenes from the Mulwala faithful, who celebrated the club’s first senior premiership since 1990.
They may be the Lions, but the club song “Join in the chorus” couldn’t have been more apt as anyone attached to the Mulwala club, young and old, were arm-in-arm to celebrate the flag.
Yet again, Moama’s reputation for hosting grand final classics lived up to expectations, regardless if it was dry or wet.
Going home a little rain-sodden was a small price to pay for attending, and enjoying what was a terrific day of country football and netball.
Gregor Mactaggart is the editor of the Riverine Herald.