The young Cats set up victory with a five-goal second term kicking with the breeze to lead by 27 points at the main break.
Deniliquin showed a lot more intensity in the second half, and early in the last term closed to within 10 points. Full forward Adrian Pappin had the chance to cut the margin to less than a goal but hit the post on the run on an angle from about five metres out.
Finley stormed home from there with five goals, Cats’ full forward Duncan Clarke finishing the day with four majors.
Final scores, Finley 12.10 (82) to Deni 6.13 (49).
With both sides still in the hunt for Murray League finals action and the sun shining at the Finley Recreation Reserve, there was a finals-like atmosphere at the ground.
Deni kicked with the breeze in the opening term but squandered opportunities in front of goal for a 1.6 return.
Finley, however, managed two straight goals and had equally as much of the ball but were often cut off by the marking power of Anthony Bull and John Anstee when going forward.
The second term saw the Cats blow the match apart with five goals from 10 attempts. The home side looked hungrier for the ball and had far more intensity and running power with young guns Luke Moore and Zec Cuppens leading the way in the midfield.
The Rams played their best football in the third term with key defender Anstee moving into the midfield, but it was to no avail. Finley finished the game much stronger.
Deniliquin co-coach Sam Hall said he was disappointed with his side’s first half.
‘‘Given the occasion we just didn’t show enough intensity in the first half, and you’re not going to win games if you don’t show up until half time.
‘‘Finley wanted the ball more than us and they ran harder than us.
‘‘Our second half was more like the footy we want to play but it’s still not where we need it to be to be a seriously competitive side in the Murray League.
‘‘We still hold hopes of a finals berth but we’ve got to show some serious improvement this week if we’re to be any chance.’’
Veteran defender Bull was named Deni’s best player, marking strongly all day and attacking the contest hard. Josh Whelan worked hard at centre half forward and was also strong overhead, while captain Anstee was again one of the side’s better performers along with ever-reliable midfielder Nick Howe.
Hard-at-it onballer Jonty Tubb was another to impress for the Rams in what was his first senior game in more than 12 months after a knee reconstruction early last season.
Finley’s best were Moore, Cuppens, Clarke, Cam Robertson and Jasper Brain.
The Rams reserves also went down to Finley, losing by 27 points.
Scores, Finley 11.3 to Deni 7.0
Ryan Brunker was Deni’s best, dominating the midfield all day. He was well supported by ruckman Hamish Ross and fellow midfielders Andrew Hogan, Logan Ives and Reece Hussey.
Shaun Kable kicked four goals for the Cats.
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