A record crowd walked through the gates at Moama Recreation Reserve to witness a fantastic display of football and netball on Murray league grand final day.
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The gate of $64,368 eclipsed the previous record of $60,584, which was set at last year’s decider, also at Moama.
“We’re absolutely thrilled,” Murray league operations manager Dale Norman said.
“I estimate we had between 5000-6000 people through the gates which is a great result.”
Clear blue skies and optimal conditions greeted those in attendance, who observed some remarkable feats across the day, none more impressive than Moama’s haul of premierships.
The Magpies were well represented at their home ground, with eight teams winning through to their respective deciders.
The under-14 Pies football side kicked things off with a win over Cobram to cap off an undefeated season, before the under-13 and under-17 netball teams followed suit shortly afterwards, both also unbeaten all year.
The under-17 footballers recorded a stirring victory over the previously undefeated Cobram in their decider, while the under-15 and C-grade netball sides also took the crown with strong wins.
The B-grade and C-reserve sides then completed a dream day for Moama, sealing grand final wins and an astonishing clean sweep of all eight grand finals that the Magpies were represented in.
Moama president Matt Lake was ecstatic with the result, which he attributed to the efforts of the entire club all season long.
“Yeah, it’s fantastic, it’s been a real team effort the whole year,” he said.
“(It’s) disappointing that the seniors, reserves and A-grade didn’t quite make it, but for the other eight teams to make the grand final and to be successful today has been fantastic, and a really good team effort.”
With a large black and white contingent lining the courts and oval, cheering Moama to glory, Lake was complimentary of the community for its support of the club.
“The community has got right behind us this year,” he said.
“Being home here makes it even better, but yeah, it was just really good, the parents are all here, the supporters, the player’s partners.
“It’s been a great day, and we’ll have a great night there in the function room tonight.”
As the host venue of the Murray league grand final day, Lake said the day had run smoothly, with Moama a suitable choice.
“It has run very well,” he said.
“The league has chosen to have it here because of the community (and) because of the new facilities that were built three or four years ago.
“It’s the place it needs to be, because they get neutral observers and the league are the ones that make the money out of it, which is fantastic, and it keeps the league going.”
Fans were also treated to a superb game of football in the reserves grand final, with Mulwala and Congupna unable to be separated after four quarters.
Congupna’s Thomas Phillips was the hero for The Road, booting his first and only goal of the day to level the scores with 57 seconds left on the clock in the final quarter, forcing extra time.
The Road was able to get it done in the 10 additional minutes, claiming the premiership by seven points and sending the Congupna faithful into hysterics.
Norman said the theatre of the reserves finish set the tone for the senior football clash.
“To have a drawn grand final is very rare and it added to the atmosphere of the day,” Norman said.
The two clubs also faced off in the senior decider, with Congupna aiming to break a 30-year drought, while Mulwala was going for back-to-back flags after triumphing last year.
Six points was the difference at half-time, but Mulwala broke away in the second half courtesy of a pivotal Harley Middleton performance, with the Lions gun booting seven goals to be named best-on-ground.
“I’ve been to a lot of football finals and I’d have to go back to 1989 when Yarrawonga won the grand final in the Ovens and Murray to hear such a vocal crowd,” Norman said.
“It was an excited and boisterous crowd and an extraordinary atmosphere, especially in the first half when it was tight in the senior game.”
After another stellar finale’ to the 2023 season, Norman credited everyone behind the scenes for their roles on delivering the Murray league grand final day.
“The day ran very smoothly,” he said.
“All credit to the preparations from the Murray River Council, the Moama Football Netball Club, Matt Lake and his team of volunteers who did an outstanding job getting the ground prepared.
“On the day, the catering clubs of Mulwala, Nathalia, and Deniliquin seemed to be catering for people very quickly, so all credit to the clubs as well.”
It’s set the building blocks in place for another blockbuster campaign next year and Norman is expecting the league to take another leap in quality.
“It’s been a season that’s ebbed and flowed, on the netball court and on the football field,” he said.
“I think we’re building up for another extraordinary year in 2024. Already clubs are recruiting well so I think the league will go up a level.”