A brave Cobram side fought valiantly in the under-15 Murray league decider, but were ultimately no match for Mulwala, who prevailed by 10 points to claim a 4.4 (28) to 2.6 (18) win.
It was an arm wrestle to begin the contest at Moama Recreation Reserve, with neither side able to take control of the game in the first term, although Cobram was the first to put a score on the board with a major.
Mulwala replied shortly after with a behind, and then a goal, to draw ahead on the scoreboard, however Cobram found a behind to ensure the first term ended all square at 1.1 (7).
The two sides would record the same amount of scoring shots in the second quarter, but it would be Mulwala that went into the half time huddle ahead having kicked the only goal, leading 2.2 (14) to Cobram’s 1.3 (9).
Cobram did its best to reduce the deficit after half-time, which it did, but only just, winning the third term by a point to go into the final break trailing by four points, 2.5 (17) to 3.3 (21).
While Cobram gave its best in the final term, Mulwala proved too strong, kicking the only goal of the final quarter to run out victorious by 10 points.
There was an intriguing contest within the contest, with runaway joint league best and fairest winners, and club captains, Mulwala’s Axel Saunders and Cobram’s Eamon Hyde, clearly each the best player for their respective sides.
Saunders was adjudged best on ground by the officiating umpires, capping a superb individual season for the young Lion.
Speaking after the loss, the second consecutive year at which his side has fallen at the final hurdle, an emotional Cobram co-coach Duane Kelly reflected on the season, which was still a brilliant effort despite the result.
"It's never nice to be the bridesmaid two years in a row,” he said.
“I'm very proud of the boys and what we've done over the last three years with Danny (Kelf) and I as a co-coaches, to make three (grand finals) three years in a row is fantastic.
“To have the ultimate success in 2022, to not fire a shot last year in 2023, and to have as many scoring shots as the opposition (this year), we just didn't capitalise.
“We didn't stick to our game plan and we were beaten by a side that wanted the ball more, a side that probably worked harder for each other throughout the season.
“We had an opportunity to win the game, but we just didn't take it by the scruff of the neck and we weren't willing to work for each other like Mulwala were.”
Gracious in defeat, Kelly paid tribute to his Mulwala counterpart Ryan Donovan, who led his troops to the flag at the first time of asking.
“Ryan Donovan has done a sensational job in his first year of coaching the boys from Mul,” he said.
“At the end of the day, they've got to be congratulated on their win."
The Game
Scores
Mulwala: 1.1, 2.2, 3.3, 4.4 (28)
Cobram: 1.1, 1.3, 2.5, 2.6 (18)
Goals
Mulwala: Henry Donovan, Ben Ferguson, Levi Purtle, Alex Richardson
Cobram: Eamon Hyde, Riley Thompson
Best
Mulwala: Fletcher Woodhead, Tyce Woodhead, Axel Saunders, Wally Hammon, Hayden Stephens, Alex Richardson
Cobram: Eamon Hyde, Riley Thompson, Oliver Benson, Archie Peters, Zac Trist, Samuel DeVincentis
Best on ground: Axel Saunders (Mulwala)