After three years of waiting, Moama and Tongala returned to finals action and showcased just how good post-season netball can be after playing out a thrilling contest at Congupna Recreation Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Squaring off for the third time this year in a do-or-die elimination final, it was the Magpies who notched a hat-trick of wins against the Blues after a thrilling 48-47 victory.
With less than a minute to go it was Moama’s Steph Watson who drained the decisive goal that gave the Magpies a lead by the narrowest of margins.
Needing a goal to draw level and force overtime, Tongala got the ball into the goal area, only for the siren to sound with the ball in goal attack Abby Nexhip’s hands, mere seconds before she could get her shot away.
It was heartbreak for Tongala, which suffered its second one-goal loss in a row to Moama, but ecstasy for the Magpies, who advance to a semi-final clash against Nathalia.
“I am ecstatic. I am overwhelmed with the response and how the girls reacted,” Moama coach Lisa Drysdale said.
“It was anyone’s game from the get-go. It could not have been closer if we tried, it was just unreal.”
Tongala jumped out to a fast start, opening up a 6-1 lead early in the first term. But Moama worked its way back into the contest, with the scores deadlocked at 10-10 at the end of the quarter.
Once again Tonny gained the ascendancy in the second term, with the Blues battling hard to earn a three-goal lead at the main change.
But Moama rose to the challenge in the third term, wrestling the scores back to level as the two sides traded goals throughout the quarter.
The Pies held a slender one-goal advantage at three-quarter time, setting the stage for a thrilling final term. And it did not disappoint.
There were half a dozen lead changes in the final term alone, with Moama and Tongala both skipping out to two-goal leads, only to see the margin cut back again.
Milly Brock was sensational for Tongala in the attacking third and a stunning goal as she almost fell out of bounds looked like it might get the Blues over the line.
But Moama answered the challenge once again, tying things up before Watson netted the crucial goal that would win it the game.
Facing a young Tongala side, Drysdale said her team’s experience paid off.
“Our composure with our experience was the difference. We held the ball when we needed to,” she said.
“It took a little while to get our defensive pressure up to the standard that I wanted, and some of that really paid off in the midcourt with turnovers that we forced, so I was really proud of that.
“They dug deep and used that aggression out on the court and it made a big difference to the game.
“We have been fortunate to have some really close games this year against top teams, so having those close games and playing under pressure, you definitely learn from it.”
Drysdale said it was a fantastic performance for all nine of her side’s players out on the court.
“Everyone had their different roles to play. Tiarna Steele had a massive game, she stopped a lot of the fast play into the goal ring. Jodie Lake was relentless in defence and she did a fantastic job,” Drysdale said.
“Liv Mackenzie was great through the mid-court, her defensive pressure was phenomenal. Steph Watson was cool, calm and collected. She never looks flustered.
“Everyone looked impressive. It was a real team effort and everyone did their part.”
For Tongala, the result is a heartbreaking way for its season to end. But coach Paige Wade said she could not have been prouder of her team’s efforts.
“It was great netball and I couldn’t be prouder of our team for putting on such a great display,” Wade said.
“Those kind of games can go either way, and it just didn’t go our way today.
“Our young girls put on a great performance. Hopefully this group of girls sticks together next year and their second year of senior netball will be amazing.
“Moama have a fair bit more experience on their side and to play well and put it to them the whole game is great.”
The result sets up another blockbuster clash for Moama this weekend, with the Pies set to take on Nathalia in a semi-final.