MFL | Echuca United pounced by Finley

United crafted a fast start to the contest to lead by four points at the first change, but the Cats slammed home six goals to two in the second quarter to skip away with a 22-point half-time buffer.

The Eagles did the early attacking in the third quarter to draw within 19 points, but a series of 50-metre penalties had a hand in up to three Finley goals late in the term, helping the visiting Cats to a 42-point lead at the final break.

Finley added another five goals to run away with an 18.15 (123) to 9.7 (61) victory, its second of the season.

Eagles’ coach Farran Priest bemoaned his side’s third quarter behaviour in a clash tipped to be a winnable one for the now last-placed Echuca United.

“It was a pretty disappointing day. Another opportunity went begging and the group knew that, you could tell after the game,” Priest said.

“The boys were really disappointed in themselves, especially with a lot of really undisciplined stuff.

“It’s something we haven’t really displayed before, it’s definitely not our style.

“To lose and lose like that was pretty hard.”

On a dour day for the Eagles, Kynan Sharpe was a highlight, drawing praise for his efforts on the wing.

“(Sharpe) creates a lot of bounce. Every time the ball’s in his hands, something seems to happen,” Priest said.

Meanwhile, James Harney was lively down forward once again in the first half.

“(James Harney) just doesn’t want to be beaten, he just doesn’t accept it,” Priest said.

Eagles skipper Justin Cantwell toiled away alongside Joe Harney down back, but Finley’s even spread of goal-kickers — 11 for the day — was relentless.

Harrison Kerr led the goal-kicking for the Cats with three, while Benji Neal, Angus Robertson and Frazer Neate were judged Finley’s best.

Priest admitted the Eagles needed to keep the foot down when holding a lead.

“We’re obviously a young group still trying to hold a lead, and then hold on to it,” Priest said.

“It’s a simple learning curve — we identified some things after the game we need to work on and we’ll go back during training and do that.”

Looking ahead, Echuca United faces Moama in a Three Jacks rematch at Echuca South Recreation Reserve this Saturday, with the Pies coming off a big win over Rumbalara.

Around the Murray Football League, Congupna has caused an upset with a 26-point win over Tongala to throw the top-six race wide open.

Cobram’s intimidating run continued, saluting for the ninth time straight with a 73-point win over top-four rival Deniliquin.

Barooga challenged Nathalia but was blown away in the final quarter as the Purples claimed their third win of the season.

Mulwala kept its unbeaten record intact despite a late Numurkah challenge.