Pies’ wings clipped by raging Rams

By Oliver Shedden

Jul 21, 2024

Moama’s Brad Edwards was named in the side’s best in its loss to Deniliquin. Photo: Aidan Briggs Photo by Aidan Briggs

Moama could not stop a forceful Deniliquin outfit in their clash during round 14 of the Murray Football League.

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The fifth-placed Rams were locked in to start the game, kicking six goals and five behinds in a first-quarter onslaught while also keeping Moama scoreless.

Deniliquin didn’t let up in the second period, adding two goals and behinds while limiting the Magpies to just two behinds in the first half, the Rams leading by 53 points.

Moama found some momentum in the third quarter, notching three goals to the Rams’ single goal and four behinds, but still trailed by 45 points.

Unfortunately, the Magpies couldn’t do enough in the back half of the game to catch Deniliquin’s substantial lead, collecting one goal and five behinds in the final stretch.

Ultimately, the Rams’ 10.11 (71) seemingly have Moama’s 4.7 (31) number, as this is the second time the Magpies have lost to Deniliquin this year, with the game unfolding similarly in round 3.

It was a group effort for the Magpies this week, with Liam Barrett, Thomas Holman, Fraser Verhey and James Whitehead all contributing a goal each.

Whitehead and Holman were joined by Tom Sheldon, Mitchell Lake, Danny Brewster and Brad Edwards in Moama’s best for the match.

Moama remains in third place on the ladder with 38 points, but Mulwala and Deniliquin are nipping at its heels with 36 points apiece, and sixth-placed Numurkah is not far behind with 34 points.

There is a world where Moama falls out of the finals hunt if it drops too many more games. It will return home to face fourth-placed Mulwala next week in another interesting battle.

It will then battle against competition leaders Congupna in round 16, Rumbalara in round 17, and sixth-placed Numurkah in the final round of the regular season.