KDL and MFNL grand final: Lancaster triumphs in the wet; Mulwala stun Tigers

UPDATE, 6pm: Wrapping up the blog

That will wrap up the blog for the day — check back for more stories on the Shepparton News, Kyabram Free Press, Riverine Herald and more.

UPDATE, 5.30pm: Mulwala win in Moama

Apologies for the delay in reporting, I was dragged into the middle of the Lancaster circle to take photos.

Up in Moama, Mulwala have stormed home over the top of Cobram to record a drought-breaking win after a controversial dissent call with minutes to go.

UPDATE, 5.05pm: Ugly scenes on the final siren

An all-in brawl between spectators and players erupted seconds after the final siren with dozens of people invovled.

Really ugly scenes here, with wild punches being thrown.

UPDATE: 4.53pm: LANCASTER WIN.

Ten points. They’re home.

UPDATE, 4.50pm: Lancaster still by 10

Lancaster have been resolute in their defence and the margin is still 10 points with 25 minutes gone. They’re just about home.

UPDATE, 4.43pm: Lions in with a sniff

The margin is just TWO points in Moama with an Owen Conway goal for Mulwala putting them just a kick away, seven minutes into the final term.

UPDATE, 3.48pm: KDL margin back to 10 points

Murchison-Toolamba has stormed back to within two kicks of the KDL grand final with 14 minutes gone but have lost Andrew Lloyd to a serious ankle injury.

He hobbled off with trainers but Jamie Jones at the other end took advantage and slammed one home from the square.

Score now 5.6 (36) to 6.10 (46).

UPDATE, 4.35pm: Mulwala storming home

Just a huge term from Mulwala against the breeze, now just seven points down at Moama.

Cobram 6.6. (42) leads Mulwala 5.5. (35) with one to go.

UPDATE, 4.26pm: Final term under way

“There is no tomorrow.”

Those were the words of Nick Iorrini at the three-quarter time huddle and we are in for a CRACKING final term.

First blood has gone to Lancaster after Zac Cerrone soccered home a Ricky Busch cross which would have been more at home at the Theatre of Dreams than Mooroopna Rec Reserve.

Lead now 16 points Lancaster’s way.

UPDATE, 4.20pm: Cobram lead by 17 points

That’s it, that’s the tweet. Izac Artavilla has kicked a “huge goal”, but that’s all the info I have for you at this point.

Three quarter time in Mooroopna, the score is 41 to 30 Lancaster’s way.

UPDATE, 4.15pm: Hoppers spring into life

A goal to Jayedon Hexton following a holding the ball call has put the Hoppers within striking distance of Lancaster.

Hexton slotted the shot from 15 metres out dead in front.

It was the first goal of the second half, 23 minutes into the second half, bringing the score to 4.6 (30) to 5.9 (39) Lancaster leading.

UPDATE, 4.05pm: Wet. Weather. Footy.

This is gruelling, old-fashioned football at Mooroopna Rec Reserve.

We haven’t had a goal since half time, and there’s a lot of soccering along the ground, slipping, sliding and dropped marks.

Neither side has looked like winning but it’s now a massive battle of wills.

The rain has stopped... for now.

UPDATE, 3.55pm: Deniliquin claim A-grade MFNL decider

Deni Rams have claimed the A-grade title in Moama, defeating Rumbalara 44-33.

UPDATE, 3.50pm: Cobram on top in the wet

It’s equally as wet at Moama for the MFNL decider, where Cobram has an 18-point lead at the main change.

They lead Mulwala 4.3 (27) to 1.3 (9) at the main change.

The lights are also on at Moama.

UPDATE, 3.40pm: Tally coach Fiona Down’s emotional win

Tallygaroopna’s Fiona Down was in tears on the siren of the A-grade grand final as her Redlegs claimed a seven-goal win.

Captain Claudia Callagher was best on ground in the win, and it’s one they’ll be savouring for some time.

It was torrential rain from go to woah for the A-grade decider.

At half-time, a muddy Mooroopna Recreation Reserve is slowly being inundated by the amount of rain we’ve had, with pools of water emerging on the field.

Lancaster lead Murchison-Toolamba 5.8 (38) to 3.5 (23) at half time.

UPDATE, 3.20pm: IT’S RAINING

A quick weather update: Reports that hail and lightning is on the way?

Lancaster still leads in the seniors by 10 points after 12 minutes into the second quarter.

UPDATE, 3.16pm: Tallygaroopna wins the A-grade grand final!

Fiona Down and her side have done it! The Redlegs secure a 39-32 win over Dookie United.

UPDATE, 3.13pm: Second quarter starts in KDL senior football

The yellow ball has been brought out after the first break.

UPDATE, 3.01pm: Tally maintains lead, Deni piles on goals

Tallygaroopna leads by six goals at the final change, ahead 30-24.

Deniliquin is ahead 42 to 27 in Moama, looking like they’re cruising to an A grade win.

The footy is a seven-point game following goal on the siren from Tom Davies. Lancaster is ahead 3.3 (21) to 2.2 (14).

UPDATE 2.54pm: Aidan Lloyd gets Murch on the board

Aidan Lloyd kicked the Hoppers’ first after a free kick 15 metres out and immediately has another chance from 35 metres out after a turnover but missed.

Lancaster 2.3 (15) to Murchison-Toolamba 1.2 (8).

UPDATE, 2.51pm: Deni in control

Deniliquin is well in control against Rumbalara, with a 38-24 lead as the rain begins falling.

Meanwhile, Murchison’s Michael Coad has sprayed a shot on goal from 25 out just about directly in front on the full.

It’s about Murch’s first proper inside 50, too.

UPDATE, 2.47pm: Luca Allen gets Cobram under way

Luca Allen has kicked the opening goal in Moama as the rain begins to fall. Cobram lead by seven points, with Mulwala yet to score.

Meanwhile at Mooroopna, Lancaster adds a second goal to lead 2.2 (14) to 0.1 (1), with the Murchison defence under extreme pressure as the rain falls heavily.

UPDATE, 2.42pm: Tally ahead in the netball

Tallygaroopna has a 24-17 lead over Dookie United in the KDL netball A-grade grand final.

Meanwhile the Wombats have made a massive start to the football decider, with Jake Mills being found inside 50 on his return from suspension but unable to convert following Sam Vick’s opening goal.

Rain falling again now.

UPDATE, 2.40pm: First blood to Lancaster

Sam Vick has kicked the first goal for Lancaster in the KFL decider and the heavy Lancaster crowd near where I’m sitting let everyone know about it,

UPDATE, 2.35pm: Senior football kicking off

We’re under way! The ball has been tossed up at the Mooroopna Recreation Reserve for the start of the KDL senior football grand final.

Lancaster and Murchison-Toolamba are doing battle, while in Moama for the Murray Football Netball League football decider Cobram and Mulwala has begun.

UPDATE, 2,.25pm: Lancy and Tongala have done it

Lancaster has claimed the KDL reserves premiership following a dismantling of Avenel.

Lancaster celebrated in the middle of the Mooroopna Rec Reserve following the 10.11 (71) to 4.3 (27) win.

Meanwhile, Tongala has escaped a scare to score the perfect season off the back of a three-goal final term to Zane Johnstone.

In the netball, Dookie has a 10-9 lead at quarter time of the main game for the KDL.

UPDATE, 2.10pm: Comeback is on for Tongala

The Blues have reversed the three-quarter-time deficit and are now two goals clear of Moama at Moama Rec Reserve.

Zane Johnstone has three in the final term as the hero.

That’s about all she wrote in the KDL reserves, too, with Lancaster 10.11 (71) to Avenel 4.3 (27).

UPDATE, 1.55pm: Moama on the verge of an upset

Moama is set for a massive upset at home in the reserves grand final.

Josh Huntly is on the ground, with the Blues a man down due to a red card.

Meanwhile, Rumbalara is hoping for a dream upset of their own on the netball court.

The final quarter has just begun in the KDL reserves, too.

UPDATE, 1.50pm: Victory for Merrigum, Lancaster in control

Two from two for the Dogs at Mooroopna, with the buzzer blowing on the Bulldogs’ B-grade success.

The final score ended up as 41-32 Merrigum’s way.

Meanwhile, the main affair at the netball courts in Moama is about to get under way.

In the football, Avenel made an attempt at a comeback that quarter with three goals, but still trail Lancaster 9.9 (51) to 4.3 (27) by 24 points.

UPDATE, 1.40pm: Merrigum in front in B grade

Merrigum holds a strong 36-28 lead over Tallygaroopna in the B grade decider at Mooroopna.

There’s not long left so you’d think the side would be home, which would add to the club’s under 17 title earlier today.

Apparently the crowd had to be warned following some “choice behaviour” on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, the main affair at the netball courts in Moama is about to get under way.

UPDATE, 1.35pm: Finley claim C-reserve, Moama cruising in B grade

We’ve had an update from Moama Rec Reserve, with Finley downing Rumbalara comfortably 47 to 32 in C reserve.

Moama have a whopping 20-goal lead over Tongala in the B grade clash.

Goal apiece so far in the third stanza at the KDL reserves clash, with Avenel 2.3 (15) trailing Lancaster 7.7 (49).

UPDATE, 1.10pm: Lancaster taking control

In the KDL reserves, Tim Strapp has kicked his third goal and the Wombats are well and truly in control of the reserves grand final.

They’re playing the conditions much better, leading 5.5 (35) to 1.3 (9) with five minutes to go in the second term.

UPDATE, 1.05pm: Tallygaroopna seals it!

Tally has claimed an extra time victory in the C grade KDL grand final over with an Ane Henderson goal with just three seconds on the clock.

Heartbreak for Stanhope who held on for so long, but a great win for Tally, in what they’ll be hoping will be one of three for senior premierships today.

UPDATE, 12.55pm: Goal-for-goal in extra time, Rumba holding on

James Kleeman informs me the C grade extra time is, in fact, a nailbiter.

It was 31 apiece at the half time break, with Tally taking a two-goal lead early in the second period of extra time.

Rumbalara C grade reserve are holding on, down by three goals to Finley 21-18 at Moama.

Meanwhile, Lancaster have a three-point lead at quarter time of the KDL reserves, with one goal apiece.

No marks inside 50 makes for tough watching.

UPDATE, 12.50pm: Extra time!

C-grade has gone to extra time in the KDL decider. Stanhope and Tally couldn’t be split after four quarters and were left tied up at 29 apiece.

Goal apiece in the reserves at Mooroopna. Have I mentioned it’s wet? It’s very wet, lot of torps and slipping over and dropped marks.

Ground holding up very well considering.

UPDATE, 12.45pm: Off and running in reserves

Steve Grima has kicked the opening goal of what will be a very wet reserves KDL grand final.

He’s given the massive Lancaster crowd a rev-up with the goal from the forward pocket. Wombats have done all the attacking early.

Meanwhile at the C grade netball, Tallygaroopna and Stanhope are all tied up at 27 apiece with minutes to go.

UPDATE, 12.30pm: Lakers sing it loud

Don’t really need to add much here - Nagambie fans were loving that rendition of the song.

Meanwhile, Rumabalra has begun its C grade reserve decider in Moama.

UPDATE, 12.25pm: Nagambie wins, Avenel triumphs

Nagambie has claimed the KDL under 18s grand final, holding off a resolute Lancaster who came after them in the second half.

They’ve just given out a resounding rendition of the club song in the middle of Mooroopna Rec Reserve off the back of Blake Ezard’s five goals.

Meanwhile, Avenel has demolished Shepparton East in the 15 and under netball winning 51-21.

Tallygaroopna are ahead in the C grade 23-18 over Stanhope according to our man on the ground James Kleeman.

I can’t see the netball from my seat - I wandered over before while there was a break in the blog and Nagambie was just clinical.

UPDATE, 12.10pm: Nathalia holds off Echuca United in one-point thriller

Incredible finish in Moama with Nathalia snaring a one-point victory over Echuca United in the MFNL under 17s decider.

The Eagles kicked a goal with two minutes left to set up a nail-biting final 120 seconds but the Purples were able to hold them off in a thriller.

Meanwhile, despite being well and truly in front at half-time, Lancaster have roared back into the KDL decider, 4.9 (33) to 7.6 (48).

It’s still a three-goal game in wet conditions but the Wombats have three of the four goals after half-time, the other goal was Blake Ezard’s fifth.

Meanwhile Echuca United pick up a nine-goal win in C grade at Moama, while Cobram leads Deniliquin by seven goals in the 15-and-under.

UPDATE, 11.45am: Avenel dominant in 15s, Lancaster kick first of the third

It’s a very wet period here at Mooroopna, with Avenel “bossing” the 15 and under according to my good mate James Kleeman, with the Swans up 28-8 over Shepparton East.

Meanwhile in the under 18s football, Lancaster has had the better of the play so far in the third quarter with a goal to Riley Williams bringing the score to 2.5 (17) to 6.3 (39).

I popped down to ground level for a few snaps, which you can see in the gallery below, including a brief interlude where we lost the scoreboard.

UPDATE, 11.30am: Half time at football thirds

It’s half time across both Moama and Mooroopna, with Nathalia able to hold Echuca United to two goals with the win, while in Mooroopna Nagambie are up 38 to 10 at the major break in the KDL.

I’ll have a few snaps for you once I finish eating my half-time snags - rain is coming down again now too.

UPDATE, 11.10am: Moama pulls off a thrilling win, Merrigum claims KDL title

Moama has done it! Coming up against the unbeaten Tongala in the under-17 MFNL grand final, they’ve toppled them by a solitary goal in extra time and in the pouring rain.

Just incredible from Moama.

Meanwhile at Mooroopna, Merrigum has overcome Tallygaroopna 47-41 over Tallygaroopna in the under 17s.

Meanwhile Blake Ezard has kicked his FOURTH goal in the KDL under 18s, with the first goal of the quarter coming after a tough 10 minutes of football.

Nagambie leads 6.1 (37) to 1.3 (9) over Lancaster.

UPDATE, 11am: Rain coming down, Stanhope registers first win in netball

It’s now raining pretty heavily at the Mooroopna Rec Reserve , with any sun we had earlier in the day now well and truly gone.

Nagambie has its first goal on the board through Nathan Mackison.

Score is 4.1 (25) to 1.2 (8)

Stanhope has recorded a win at the KDL grand final day with a 24-11 win in the 13s, too. Big crowd building at Mooroopna despite the rain, too.

At Moama, Nathalia has a dominant opening quarter kicking with the breeze with a 20-point buffer.

The purples lead 3.2 (20) to no score in their grand final against Echuca United.

UPDATE, 10.50am: Ezard gets Lakers off to fast start, extra time in Moama

Blake Ezard has kicked the opening goal for Nagambie in the under 18s KDL football decider against the run of play.

Ten minutes into the first quarter, 3.1 (19) plays 0.2 (2) with Nagambie in front. Ezard has two of those three.

Meanwhile in Moama the 17 and under has gone to extra time! The two sides were stuck at 40 apiece on the final buzzer.

UPDATE, 10.35am: Under 18s make their way out

Lancaster and Nagambie have run out onto the field for their grand final, the Wombats’ first crack out of their three games today.

They’ve got three sides vying for football premierships today in under 18s, reserves and seniors, while Nagambie has their only appearance in the decider.

Meanwhile across at the netball, Stanhope lead Girgarre 14-8 heading into the final quarter in the 13 and under.

Tallygaroopna lead Merrigum 21-17 in the under 17s.

Echuca United and Nathalia have also lined up at Moama, too for their thirds grand final.

UPDATE: 10.20am: The Tigers are home!

Cobram clinches a three-point win in the under 14s grand final at Moama!

Cracking vid from Josh Huntly below of the scenes on the final siren.

Could it be a sign of things to come for the Tigers? They’ve got a chance to win the senior premiership later today, and what a start for the club.

Final score 3.4 (22) to 3.1 (19) over Moama.

UPDATE, 10.10am: Cobram in the box seat at three-quarter time

Zac Standish is all across the under 14s at Moama with a massive third quarter into the breeze by Cobram to only concede one goal and it takes a one point lead into three quarter time.

All set up for a huge finish to kick off grand final day, with the score Moama: 2.1 (13) to Cobram: 2.2 (14) with one to play.

At the netball in Mooroopna, I just popped over to see Merrigum leading Tallygaroopna 4-2 early doors in the 17 and under, and Stanhope ahead of Girgarre 7-3 with a bumper crowd building.

UPDATE, 9.45am: Juniors off and racing

Gday all, welcome to the footy and netty grand final blogs. Max Stainkamph here in the live blog hotseat for most of the day, and she’s an absolute cracker here at the Mooroopna Rec Reserve.

It’s a bit soft underfoot on the oval but the sun is out and it’s perfect conditions for grand finals.

My colleagues Zac Standish, Daniel Webb, Josh Huntly and Branson Gibson are all going to be reporting in from Moama for the MFNL grand finals, while Aydin Payne, James Kleeman and myself will be at Mooroopna for the KDL.

Undera is ahead of Murchison-Toolamba in the under 13s practice match, 1.2-8 to 0.2-2 halfway through the second quarter, while tip-off in the thirteen and under netball was moments ago.

Meanwhile, Zac Standish is all over the under 14s in Moama.

7am update: Everything you need to know

Good morning, and welcome to grand final day!

We’ll be bringing you updates from the KDL and MFNL across the day.

The Kyabram District League grand finals will be held at Mooroopna Rec Reserve, with juniors beginning from 9.45am.

In the netball in the KDL, Tallygaroopna will be aiming to take a clean sweep of the seniors.

The Redlegs will come up against Dookie United in A-grade from 2pm, Merrigum in B-grade from 12.30pm and Stanhope in C-grade

from 11.30am.

In the juniors, Shepparton East plays Avenel in the 15 and under and Girgarre and Stanhope will clash in the 13 and under will come together for the 13-and-under decider.

In the KDL football, Lancaster is aiming for a clean sweep.

In senior Murchison-Toolamba will do battle with Lancaster for the KDL premiership, while Avenel and Lancaster will clash in the reserves.

The under-18s will be contested between Lancaster and Nagambie from 10.40am.

Over at the Moama Rec Reserve, Cobram and Mulwala will clash in the MFL grand final from 2pm, while Rumbalara will try to knock off top dogs Deniliquin in the C grade reserve netball decider from 1.30pm.

Echuca United will fight Nathalia for the under-17s football title, and then Tongala will face off against Moama for the reserves premiership.

In the netball, Tongala and Moama will clash in the B-grade decider, while Echuca United will tackle Moama in a twin cities derby in C-grade netball, and Tongala will do battle with Moama in the under-17s.