Finley's Samuel Hay chases Echuca United's Jarel Atkinson-Combe in the under-14 Murray League grand final. Photo: Rechelle Zammit.
Inaccuracy cost Echuca United dearly as it lost by a goal to Finley in the under-14 Murray League grand final.
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The Eagles were down by as much as 23 points early in the final quarter.
Achilles Murillo takes his time before deciding where to kick.
They rallied late, booting two majors in the last eight minutes to make the Cats sweat down the stretch.
But Jason Scott’s team could’ve put more points on the board in the fourth, as it also registered five behinds.
Bobby Elliott and Jed Flanagan chase after the ball.
A string of missed set-shots would later prove costly as Finley held out in the final minutes.
Cats forward Orlando Orsida had earlier put his side on his back from a goal-kicking perspective.
Jarel Atkinson-Combe with the kick.
The vice captain booted the first major of the game and then goaled twice in the second term - one being a superb checkside from the pocket.
Scott switched up Orsida’s match-up after half-time to takeaway his influence.
Sam Hay and Arlo Scott in the ruck contest.
The move worked, and was necessary as Finley, after trailing 14-7 early in the second, suddenly closed the first half with four straight majors.
A theme of the game was Echuca United significantly reducing the margin but being unable to hit the front again.
River Best tackles Levi Jakeman.
Trailing by 17 points at half-time, the Eagles cut the margin to five midway through the third.
But the Cats then booted two straight themselves, and they ended up holding the same lead heading into the fourth.
Orlando Orsida and Cruz Formosa in the marking contest.
Despite falling short, Echuca United will take great pride from its season, where it came from fifth to reach the grand final.
Bobby Elliott attempts to take possession with Thomas Bain close by.
That is an achievement in itself that was acknowledged by Cats coach Nick Flanagan during the post-match presentations, where Finley captain Sam Hay was awarded best on ground.
The game
Echuca United: 0.2, 2.2, 4.3, 6.8 (44)
Finley: 1.1, 5.1, 7.2, 8.2 (50)
Goals
Echuca United: Ryan Strahan 2, Tanner Coatsworth, Cash Kirkpatrick, Brayden Morrison, Arlo Scott
Finley: Orlando Orsida 3, Flynn Rourke 2, Jed Flanagan, William Harris, Levi Jakeman
Best
Echuca United: Ryan Strahan, Bobby Elliott, Arlo Scott, Boa Spiers, Tanner Coatsworth, Jarel Atkinson-Combe
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