At times in the top four, the Blues suffered a late-season slump, dropping six in a row to almost fall from the top eight, but a strong final fortnight saw the side secure eighth and an elimination final with fifth-ranked Tocumwal.
By chance, the game was drawn at Tocumwal Recreation Reserve, giving the Bloods the advantage of home court on Saturday.
Having lost to Toc in the side’s regular season meeting, the Blues knew they were up against it going in, and so it proved in the first term as the home side got out to a 15-11 advantage.
However, Picola wasn’t going away, and clawed back the deficit in the second, restoring parity at halftime 24-all.
The Bloods again secured the advantage in the third period, getting ahead by three goals, and this time the Blues couldn’t respond down the stretch, Tocumwal advancing 50-41.
Toc now has a week off, awaiting the loser of the qualifying final between Tungamah and Katandra on Saturday.
Picola concludes a much improved season, progressing from 4-12 and a 12th placed finish in 2025 to 8-8 and eighth this year.
