Magpies, Tigers to do battle on grand final day

By Bransen Gibson

Sep 15, 2022

Decider: Moama’s Xavier Lane, pictured, was part of the Pies’ under-14 side that earned a grand final berth after a win over Mulwala last weekend. Photo: Contributed

Moama’s under-14s footballers will be looking to party like it’s 2014 when they face off against Cobram in the Murray League grand final on Saturday.

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The Magpies will be hoping they replicate the same feat that their predecessors accomplished eight years ago when Moama knocked off Cobram in the grand final.

The two sides will meet at Moama Recreation Reserve with a chance at grand final glory, with the Pies hoping for a repeat of their round 14 meeting against Cobram that saw them win by 14 points.

The Magpies finished second on the ladder with 17 wins and one defeat this season, just four points ahead of Cobram with 16 wins and two losses.

With the two sides so close together on the ladder, under-14s coach Jason Anderson said he was anticipating a tight contest.

“Cobram are a really good side and they push the ball really hard, our boys just have to be on top of their game and make sure they can’t get control of things,“ he said.

It has been a strong year for the Pies, who only missed out on the minor premiership by percentage, and Anderson said he thought the team’s tight-knit bond had played a key role in their success.

“The season has been good. I think we have a really good range of boys, they are really evenly spread,” he said.

“They are a really close group. We have 20 boys and they are all almost best mates, they really get on well together and I think that is a big reason why they are here now.”

With the Magpies set to play in front of a huge crowd on their home ground, Anderson said it would be a special occasion for his side.

“It will be a great experience,” he said.

“The fact that they get to play at home in front of a full crowd in the stands, they are really pumped. I don’t think they are daunted by the whole thing, but they are really excited about the game ahead.

“It would be great if they can win a premiership together. Then they can build their junior football together as well, I think that would be the greatest thing about it.

“The main goal at the start was to get them to expand their football knowledge, and they really have.

“When we have seen them play towards the end of the season, we can see that they really are thinking about these things that we have been trying to implement, which is really pleasing to see.”