After a month of coming dangerously close against strong opposition, finally they had a game that looked more than winnable.
Rumbalara has seriously struggled for the majority of the season, falling miles below its performance of 2018.
Finally, the Magpies could have — even should have — been on the winners’ list.
But at the final siren, nothing had changed — Moama were 0-10.
With Chris Egan and Kian Wise both booting three and Ashleigh Miller and Jayk Papoulis leading their team, Rumba put on one of their best performances of the season to claim a 49-point victory.
Though the Magpies were good in the second quarter, outscoring their opposition by a goal and cutting the margin back to 15, they struggled to stay in the game at other stages of the match.
Fraser Buchanan kicked another three goals to take his season tally to 25, but had little support.
The other positive is the club’s leaders standing up and showing their growing list the way.
Luke Dunham was named best on ground for the third time in four games for his beloved Magpies, while coach Luke Eldridge again found himself as one of the better players.
Jack Harland’s return to the club has continued to be huge, again being named in the best players, taking his tally to eight times in nine games.
But these minor wins are only going to hold up for so long.
While Moama knows the path it is taking, and neutral observers have seen noticeable progress on the field in recent weeks, it is hard from the outside looking in to feel good about a 0-10 record.
With Cobram on the road the next clash for the Magpies, things are only going to get harder.
Moama coach Luke Eldridge was unable to be reached for comment before the Riv’s print deadline.
14°C