Moama on the out in finals fight

Moama had a dream start to the game as Jake Ellery found the first major within a minute, but that was where the first quarter joy ended, Finley reeling off four straight to lead by 20 at the first change.

Things continued to get worse for the home side as the Cats found the first two goals of the second, Moama’s second major little consolation as it fell further behind at the half.

The Mowers couldn’t find their way forward and, in a low scoring third term, the host went scoreless, Finley’s two goals edging it gradually out of reach.

Down by 40 points at three-quarter time and more than 60 midway through the last, Moama finally found its way back to goal, but it was too little too late as Finley won confidently 13.9 (87) to 4.2 (26).

Having already fallen from the top six, the defeat has all but sounded the death knell for Moama’s finals hopes.

The Mowers do have a game in hand over Numurkah in sixth, but trail the Blues by two wins and, with percentage not in their favour, will likely need to win all three remaining games and hope the opposition slip up in order to sneak in.

That road isn’t going to be easy, as the Mowers challenge second-placed defending premier Cobram, at Cobram, on Saturday.

The Tigers eliminated Moama on their way to the title in last year’s finals series and crushed the locals by 146 points earlier this year on May 9.