Moama celebrated its first reserves premiership in nearly a decade. Photos: Megan Fisher.
Grit, determination and sheer force of will has gifted Moama its first reserves premiership since 2016.
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After falling short three years ago to Tongala, the Magpies refused to taste the bitterness of defeat again, persevering through a rough start against Congupna to be crowned Murray League champions on Saturday.
By the end of the first quarter, the match was looking likely to be a rout in favour of The Road, who kicked three majors while holding Moama scoreless.
The Magpies blew the cobwebs out in the second period, putting a major and change through while The Road continued on with another major to the tally.
Josh Smith’s clutch goal sealed it for Moama.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
By the major break, Congupna held the largest lead of the game and inched steadily towards its second reserves flag in three seasons.
Moama had other ideas.
Holding the Road to four behinds and slotting a major for themselves early, Moama’s coach Jake Kilmartin told his crew to hang in and keep it close for one final push in the final frame - and push they did.
Moama’s Taj Ritchie celebrates.
Dominating possession and threatening its forward 50, Moama flipped the script down the stretch with a clutch set shot from the left pocket by Callum Brock Harding Davies getting things rolling for the host.
With the deficit now at three points, the Magpies knew it was time to strike, and when Josh Smith took a mark just inside 50 the Moama faithful leaned in for a moment of magic.
Bombing the kick from distance, Smith sent it straight through the middle and celebrated accordingly, with the Magpies taking the lead for the first time in the match with five minutes remaining.
Best on ground, Aaron Lonergan with his daughters, Lola and Tilly.
Showcasing its trademark grit and determination, Moama’s defenders scrambled to soak up possession in the dying stages as Congupna made one last attempt.
But, it wasn’t to be.
As the siren sounded at Moama Recreation Reserve, the faithful rejoiced as the big dance was finally won by one of its own.
Moama’s Sam Hooppell on the move.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Moama’s Aaron Lonergan was awarded the best-on-ground medal for his efforts in the midfield.
“It’s bloody unreal,” Kilmartin said post game.
“It was a tough game and took us four quarters to get there, but we just used the breeze well in the last quarter and that was pretty much the difference.
“We just grinded hard, the boys in the midfield and down back killed it today.
“The way they just kept packing in around the stoppage for those last ten minutes won us the game.”
“Aaron (Lonergan) played a bit in the seniors at the start of the year, and just the way he wills himself to win the footy is huge for us.
Having suffered more than his fair share of grand final defeats, Kilmartin said this will be one to savour.
“I’ve been building to this for a long time, I’ve lost eight grand finals now, and this is only my second won, so I’m going to celebrate the hell out of it.”
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