Gritty performance caps off Three Jacks triumph

Black skies had threatened all morning, and a heavy burst of rain right before the opening bounce meant clean skills would come at a premium.

The greasy conditions did not seem to bother the Eagles, however, as they shot off to a quick start, kicking the opening two goals of the game and enjoying early ascendency around the contest.

Moama would not find its first breakthrough until 11 minutes had been played, as Jye Smith put one through the middle, before adding his second just minutes later to level the scores.

One more goal to each side rounded out the first term, although for all the dominance around the ball, Moama was unable to capitalise, missing opportunities to head to the first break just four points ahead.

As the conditions began to dry out, Moama looked to pull away, kicking the first of the second quarter and locking the ball inside forward 50 for a sustained period of time.

They were unable to press the advantage, however, and Echuca United cut the margin to four points once again, before coach Farran Priest gave the Eagles the lead just minutes later, which was consolidated by captain James Harney, who converted a free kick from directly in front with 20 minutes gone.

Nick Pavlou gained one back for Moama, who peppered the goals almost at will for the final 10 minutes of the half, regaining the lead through the sheer number of behinds they kicked, holding a slender 5.10 (40) to 6.2 (38) advantage at the main break.

The inclement weather set in as the teams made their way out to the ground for the second half, although both sides still managed to find the goals.

Mitchell Lake extended Moama’s advantage early with a major, before some patient build-up from the Eagles saw them kick two in a row.

The teams traded goals throughout the quarter, with Lake adding another for Moama, before James Harney kicked his second to level the scores yet again, as the Eagles refused to go away despite Moama dominating around the ground.

Lachlan Hogan was all that separated the sides as he kicked his first major for the year just before three-quarter time, giving the Magpies a six-point lead with one term to play.

A brave Echuca United side had willed itself to stay in the contest all afternoon, but eventually the constant pressure that Moama had been piling on became too much early in the final quarter.

Young gun Lachlan Hogan added two more majors as the Magpies went inside 50 relentlessly, kicking three unanswered goals to stretch the margin to a game-high 25 points as their classy midfielders shifted into another gear when the game was on the line.

As expected, the contest between the fierce rivals had been willing at times, although it boiled over midway through the final term with a melee breaking out in front of the Moama bench, resulting in a red card to the Magpies’ Jye Smith, who was placed on report.

Hunter Beveridge added his second goal for the Eagles in the final few minutes of the match to cut the deficit to 19 points, but there would be no further scores for either side, as Moama closed out a hard-fought 11.18 (84) to 10.5 (65) victory.

The Magpies will look to build momentum off the back of the resolute performance, as they prepare to face what looks to be a strong Tongala side next week at home.

Echuca United will re-group this week as it has the bye, before facing Rumbalara in round four.

In the reserves, Moama proved too strong for the Eagles, claiming a 12.17 (83) to 3.5 (23) win.

The junior results also went the way of Moama, as the Magpies claimed a 9.9 (63) to 5.2 (32) win in the under-17s, while the under-14s enjoyed a 90-point victory, running out 13.18 (96) to 1.0 (6) winners over the Eagles.