Murray: Finley and Barooga record Good Friday boilovers

Finley and Barooga recorded come-from-behind wins against long-term foes, after winning only a handful of games each last year.

Two Murray league clubs that won only seven games between them last season have stunned their biggest rivals in major Easter-round upsets.

Finley and Barooga both claimed come-from-behind wins on Good Friday.

Finley pinched a one-point victory against Deniliquin courtesy of a late 50m penalty, after losing to Numurkah in the opening round and winning just three matches last year.

Barooga won one more game than Finley last year and also lost heavily to Congupna in the season opener. But it defeated last year’s runner-up Cobram by nine points on Good Friday after trailing by 21 points at three-quarter time.

Riley Gow booted six goals for Barooga with the club also boosted by the signings of Caulfield Grammarians recruits, Lachlan Stephens, Angus Cameron and Ryan and Lachlan Harris.

Finley coach Ethan Reeves. Picture: SUPPLIED

First-year Finley coach Ethan Reeves savoured his first win with the club after badly injuring his shoulder in the corresponding match against Deniliquin last season.

Finley kicked two goals late including the sealer on the siren to Bailey Burke, who received a 50m penalty at half-forward.

Moments earlier Finley had missed a chance to level the score, but in retrospect Reeves said it was crucial to stealing the win.

“If the ball went back to the centre for a restart, who knows what would have happened, with Deni being such a great contested side,” he said.

Finley had the services of VFL-listed brothers Will and Jack Sexton the previous week, but couldn’t recover from an early onslaught from Numurkah.

Ethan Reeves playing for Southport Sharks in 2018. Picture: TJ Yelds

Reeves also played in the VFL with Southport Sharks before joining Finley and taking on the coaching job this season.

“People have underestimated us,” he said.

“We’re a young side and struggled to get a lot of boys to training last year.

“We weren’t able to keep up with teams for a full game, but this year everyone has bought in.

“We’ve made a focus on building a good culture and a place and environment where everyone wants to be.”

Originally published as Murray: Finley and Barooga record Good Friday boilovers