Sexton marks 200 where it all began

Sexton, regarded as one of the great country footballers, said the milestone was important to him as Finley was his home club.

After being best-on-ground in Yarrawonga’s 1989 premiership win, Sexton went on to play AFL with St Kilda after a brief stint with Sydney.

“It is my home club, I have played at other clubs and that but it is just great to play 200 at the club where I played all of my junior football,” he said.

Although the bout against the Magpies will mark a special occasion for Sexton his eyes are on the bigger prize.

The Cats desperately need a win to stay in touch with the top six.

“It is a pretty important game for us this week,” he admitted.

“Moama are down the bottom end like us and if we’re going to go forward we need to win games like this.”

Finley has dropped its past two matches against powerhouse clubs Nathalia and Mulwala.

Despite being blown out of the water by the Purples, the Cats went down fighting against the Lions and had opportunities to win.

“Two weeks ago we got a touch up by ... (Nathalia) who probably do that to most sides,” Sexton said.

“Up until that game we had fought matches out, we went to Mulwala and earned a fair bit of respect.

“They probably thought they would do the same thing to us but we were really hurting after our performance the week before.”

The Cats will be without regular senior players Paul Massingham and Ben Warnett through injury.

Meanwhile, Echuca United will be looking to stamp themselves as contenders when they host in-form Mulwala.

The Eagles have emerged as a force this season and are sitting fourth.

But they will have to contend with a Lions’ outfit boasting one of the most potent onball brigades in the league including former AFL player Michael Stevens.

Barooga should handle Rumbalara, Tocumwal need to defeat Deniliquin Rams to remain in the run for finals, Numurkah should have too many tricks for Tongala and Nathalia should defeat Cobram.