Tonny survives war with Finley

That trend proved no different at Tongala Recreation Reserve, with the Blues needing every last scoring shot to survive 12.8 (80) to 11.11 (77).

After a see-sawing first quarter, the Cats earned the advantage late in the first half with a run of four straight goals helping them to a 58-48 lead at half-time.

Tongala responded in the third quarter in what would become the defining period of the match, kicking four goals to none for the term to flip the script on Finley and lead by 13 at the final change.

After kicking the first of the final term, Tonny led by three goals, but there was one final twist to the tale, Finley fighting back to within a kick late on.

The Cats had two guilt-edged opportunities to win the game in the dying minutes, but both sailed wide for minor scores and, although Finley scored 16 of the last 17 points, it was Tongala that held on for the narrow win.

Coach Jordan Souter put in a leader’s shift on the field, kicking a game-best four majors.

It looks to be anyone’s game around the finals places as clubs head into the back half of the season.

Tongala sits in seventh at 5-5, trailing a group of five teams, all the way up to second, on 6-4.

Should the Blues get past Mulwala, one of those five teams, in the next round, they are guaranteed to find themselves in the top six this time next week.

Tongala will remain at home for that clash on Saturday.