Gallery | Numurkah claim third single-digit victory of Murray League season in wild Finley finish

In those games, Numurkah has a spotless record, but for Finley, its left the club with a hollow feeling of what could’ve been every time.

In Saturday’s match where the margin never exceeded 12 points, the Blues came out on top in the clutch yet again, while Finley was condemned to a third single-digit loss, and sixth loss on the season, this time by the barest of differences - 9.9 (63) to 9.8 (62).

It was Finley that held the ascendancy - albeit minor - for the majority of the match too, with the gripping contest swinging out to a six-point Cats lead at quarter-time.

Numurkah would trade blows with the Cats again in the second term, but Finley would slightly improve its lead by one to a seven-point halftime margin as the clubs hit the sheds at Numurkah Showgrounds.

With the contest heating up, scoring avenues tightened in the third term, but in the clinches it was Numurkah that rose to the occasion.

Blues coach Jordan O’Dwyer’s men were down to one rotation too with injuries stacking, but O’Dwyer lauded his side’s fitness for allowing the Blues to run over the top in a “scrap”.

“After half time we were able to limit Finley a bit more, they’ve got a really good midfield and pulled our pants down there in that first half,” O’Dwyer said.

“We had a mindset through the preseason to be as fit as possible, and it’s been really evident in the close games - especially on Saturday with us only having the one rotation, you know, we still looked like we were running on top of them late despite that.”

The Blues scored two of the three third term goals, drawing level with Finley at the final change of ends.

With momentum steadily favouring Numurkah, the Blues found the opening four scores of the last quarter, but would kick just one major from those opportunities, nailed by Toby Griffiths.

Finley then exchanged a pair of behinds with Numurkah before Cat Kris Bextream sailed one through the middle to bring the side in hoops to within a kick.

As the clock ticked into red time, every contest was a scrap and scramble, with territory valuable for the Cats, stoppages valuable for the Blues.

In the 24th minute, Finley issued a shot on goal but it would go through for a behind, the Blues holding on for the rest of the contest for a one-point victory.

In Numurkah’s third single-digit victory of the season, O’Dwyer commended his Blues for winning ugly.

“It was an arm wrestle and nothing pretty about it,” O’Dwyer said.

“We’ve probably been on the receiving end of close games the last couple seasons, so building that experience probably plays a part in flipping that around.”

Match-winner Griffiths kicked three across the contest as Matthew Price was named best on ground, while Jack Sexton was named best afield for the Cats.

The four points assures Numurkah maintained its spot in second on the ladder, while the Cats are three wins behind a top six spot and in second last, despite having a positive percentage of 105.6, the seventh-best in the MFL.

Numurkah take a bye next round, while Finley will face eighth-placed Moama.

“We’ve had that many injuries the last six or seven weeks, so we’re really looking forward to the break,” O’Dwyer said.

“It’s come at a good time for us.”

Around the competition, Congupna cruised to a seventh-straight victory, blasting by Tongala 20.12 (132) to 9.6 (60), while Nathalia defeated Echuca United by 63 points.

Rumbalara produced another improved effort but it was not enough to take down Moama, falling short 10.11 (71) to 5.13 (43), while Mulwala defeated the Deniliquin Rams by 17 points and Cobram rested over the bye.