MFL | Gallery | Cobram suffers heartbreaking grand final loss to Mulwala

A gripping contest from start to finish, the Tigers led at every break, with the Lions hitting the front for the first time at the 15-minute mark of the last quarter courtesy of a controversial Jamie Smith free kick.

The Tigers surged ahead early in the contest, booting the first three goals of the game to put themselves in prime position to break a 22-year premiership drought.

But as the conditions deteriorated, the experienced Lions made their way into the contest, etching back into striking distance before hitting the front and running out three-point winners.

It was as if Mother Nature waited for the ball to be bounced at Moama Recreation Reserve as the decider got under way in torrential conditions.

But that didn’t seem to faze the minor premier Cobram, who settled into the contest seamlessly and got on top from the get-go.

Young gun Luca Allen was the instigator of the Tigers’ hot start, booting the game’s first two goals, before younger brother Matteo followed suit with a long-range bomb from the centre square to extend Cobram’s lead to 18 at the first change.

In the second term Mulwala had a number of chances, however the Lions failed to hit the scoreboard in wet conditions.

This inability to convert, plus a vital goal against the flow by Cobram’s Tyron Baden, would have the margin stay at 18 points at the main change.

Having just one goal to its name in the first half and conceding the first of the third after Matthew DeMaio converted in the opening minute to go 24 points down, Mulwala needed a spark to keep itself afloat.

This spark came in the third quarter, with the Lions producing an impressive spell in the third to leave Cobram just seven points in front at the final change.

With the match perfectly poised, it truly was anybody’s game as the last quarter commenced.

And now having the breeze at its back, Mulwala continued its surge, with Owen Conway converting from deep in the pocket, before a controversial moment gifted the Lions the lead.

Having sent the ball deep inside forward 50, Cobram defender Cadeyn Williams appeared to take a strong contested mark, but it wasn’t paid by the umpire.

Some choice words to the official would then see the ball given to Lions ruckman Smith, who saluted from 20m out to give Mulwala its first lead of the day.

As the clock ticked into time on, and the sun began to shine through the clouds, it was all or nothing for the Tigers.

And through the final minutes they began to get back on top, giving themselves two opportunities to retake the lead, with Baden shanking a running shot.

Soon after Timothy Garlick was unable to convert as the game entered its final 60 seconds, missing a set shot to all but seal Cobram’s fate with the siren sounding moments after Mulwala sent the ball back into play.

A difficult result, the Tigers can hold their heads up high for the 2022 season.

A minor premiership, lengthy unbeaten run and a strong community feel; win, lose or draw, the Tigers are well and truly the pride of Cobram.