Safe hands: Luke Dunham marks with pressure from Joe Sullivan. Clean pair of heels: Jade Keam dashes away from Cobram coach Rob Osborne. Moama will spend the week preparing for its second grand final in as many years after self-belief helped it to a 15-point win against Cobram in an interesting and entertaining preliminary final on Saturday.
The Magpies started slowly and found themselves 14 points down at the main break, before digging deep to record a strong win against quality opposition at Numurkah.
Despite a focus to win the first quarter, Moama struggled early as it managed just 1.1 (7) in the opening term, other shots on goal missing completely. The side was not helped by the loss of Tom Gilligan less than 10 minutes into the first term, who went down with a sudden bout of gastro and played no further part in the game.
The Tigers' bigger bodies got to the Magpies initially, who struggled to find their feet.
Cobram's seven scoring shots had it in control of the game and, if not for poor accuracy and decision making going forward, the Tigers could have held a much bigger lead than the 15-point margin at the first change.
Things did not get better for Moama in the second term, but nor did they get worse.
The Magpies only kicked two goals, but the back line held up well under pressure in a tight contest as Moama won the quarter by a point, the margin cut slightly to 14 points at half-time.
Not content with their efforts, the Magpies changed the momentum of the game in the second half, having winners around the ground.
Luke Dunham was fantastic at centre-half back and David Armfield had a blinder in the back line in what was arguably his best game for the club.
In the midfield, Ben Mason returned for his 200th club game and got in-and-under and won the hard ball, as did Eddie Bourke, the two getting the ball out of congestion to the more skilful kicks in Levi Moss, Jade Pumpa and Ryan Hudson.
Adam Pettigrove in the ruck also stood up and gave the midfielders first use of the football, Daniel Thorp another who posted a strong performance.
Luke Eldridge was moved from defence to the forward line in the second half and snagged a couple of goals, while youngster Lachie Thorp also played well.
Ultimately the Magpies booted seven goals in the third term in a team performance which handed them a 12-point three-quarter-time lead, setting up an exciting final term.
While the lead changed hands a couple of times early in the fourth quarter, it was Moama who prevailed despite inaccurate kicking of just 2.6.
Moama co-coach Shannon Keam said it was a spirited fightback from his side in the second half.
``It was a bit of a tale of two halves. The second half we picked up,'' he said.
``We are trying to concentrate on our starts but that didn't go to plan.
``We just stuck to our guns though. We just played our game.
``I thought our back line held up really, really well.
``The midfield really started to going and half-forward, we had a bit of presence there too.''
Keam said the side had belief it could come back in the second half, despite being a man down on the bench.
``At half-time we spoke about running them over and we thought we could because they had a couple of bigger blokes,'' he said.
``We played a man down 95 per cent of the game. (So) it was a good effort by the boys.''
Keam said his the team was excited to have made the grand final and was looking forward to a big week ahead of Saturday's season decider at Tocumwal.
``If you're not excited now I don't know what will get you excited,'' he said.
``We will just keep things pretty normal and make sure we are fresh and ready to go Saturday.''
Moama had eight individual goal-kickers boot its 12 goals, with Eldridge, Keam, Mason and Pumpa all slotting two.
James Scambler booted the goal of the day with his only major with a long bomb from 70m out while Lachie Thorp, Angus Grigg and Chris Hatfield also managed singles.
Bourke, Armfield, Dunham, Lachie Thorp, Hudson and Daniel Thorp were named the side's best.
Michael Sage (shoulder) was the only injury but is hopeful of playing this week.
Moama Football-Netball Club will run buses to Tocumwal for this weekend's grand final.
Anyone interested in going on the bus is asked to call the Border Inn on 5480 9966 and leave their name.
_ Chris Cavanagh
Last Modified on 13/09/2010 12:47