Four sides remain in each of the Murray Football Netball League competitions, with another side to start the off-season early after the weekend’s fixtures.
Seniors
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In seniors football, Moama needs to overturn its poor record against Deniliquin this season if it hopes to secure a third straight preliminary final berth.
The Rams defeated the Magpies by 47 points in round three at Moama Recreation Reserve, before following up with a 40-point win in Deniliquin in round 14.
The two sides will battle at Finley Recreation Reserve on Sunday, with first bounce set for 2pm.
If they can advance, the loser of Congupna and Finley will await Moama in the preliminary final.
A-grade
In A-grade, the Magpies finished second and must now face off with the ‘unbeaten’ Rumbalara.
Rumba had its final round result reversed due to player eligibility issues, but didn’t lose a game on the court in the regular season, posing a stiff challenge for Olivia Taverna’s charges.
Moama came closer than many to toppling Rumbalara in the regular season, going down by eight goals in round two, although a 17-goal defeat three weeks ago in round 17 was less encouraging for the Magpies.
Rumbalara will also have the benefit of home court as the schedule sees Saturday’s round of finals taking place at Rumbalara Recreation Reserve, with the game set to begin at 1.30pm.
The winner will be through to the grand final, while the loser will have a second chance against the winner of Tongala and Nathalia.
The Blues pulled out a thrilling after the siren winner against Deniliquin at the weekend sending the Rams packing 50-49.
A day earlier, Nathalia had masterminded an upset of its own, eliminating third seed Finley from the competition.
That leads Tongala to what looks to be an easier match-up on paper, the Blues having defeated the Purples by 15 and five goals, respectively, in their two regular-season meetings.
Lower grades
After getting past Tongala in week one, Moama’s reserves now face elimination at Congupna, with the winner to face either Deni Rams or Mulwala in the preliminary final.
Under-17 footy sees Moama with a chance to qualify for the decider against Cobram. A second chance against either Mulwala or Barooga is in the offing should the Magpies go down to the Tigers.
Moama also has a second chance in the under-14s, with a match-up against Mulwala the obstacle to its grand final aspirations. Cobram or Nathalia will await the loser in the preliminary final.
In B-grade netball, Tongala and Deniliquin are looking to book a spot on the final day, while the loser will remain alive to face either Moama or Mulwala in the prelim.
Tonny and Deni will also face off in C-grade, with the loser to battle Mulwala or Finley.
In C-reserve, all three local sides remain in the hunt, with Tongala and Moama fighting it out in the qualifying final, while Echuca United faces an elimination final against Finley.
In the under-17s, Moama is chasing the easy road to the final day against Cobram, with either Rumbalara or Deni Rams to take on the loser.
The Magpies are in a qualifying final with Mulwala in the under-15s, with Tongala or Rumbalara to be waiting in the wings for the loser.
Finally, the under-13s will see Moama take on Cobram for a grand final place, while Echuca United and Nathalia look to stave off elimination in the other fixture.
Murray League finals fixtures (week two)
Saturday, September 7 — Rumbalara Recreation Reserve — Qualifying finals
Football
Under-14s: Moama vs Mulwala, 9.15am
Under-17s: Moama vs Cobram, 10.45am
Netball
Under-13s: Moama vs Cobram, 9.30am
Under-17s: Moama vs Cobram, 9.30am
Under-15s: Moama vs Mulwala, 10.45am
C-grade: Tongala vs Deniliquin Rams, 10.45am
C-reserve: Tongala vs Moama, noon
B-grade: Tongala vs Deniliquin Rams, noon
A-grade: Moama vs Rumbalara, 1.30pm
Sunday, September 8 — Finley Recreation Reserve — Elimination ginals