Nick Murray's season over after breaking collarbone in GGGM's finals win over MCUE | Photos

Murray left the field in obvious pain in a big blow for the Lions before they take on Leeton-Whitton in next week's preliminary final.

"It's just unfortunate, but that's the way Nick plays," Lions coach Christin Macri said.

"He throws himself at everything and he's a courageous footballer. As a young fella he's going to go a long way in his career and we're feeling for him."

The good news is fellow young forward Riley Corbett is on track to return next week after breaking his foot in round two.

"He's been pestering me for a couple of weeks now and he trained really strongly this week, so I certainly would be anticipating he'll be playing next week provided all goes well the next six days," Macri said.

The Lions dominated the first quarter to lead 4.4 (28) to 0.3, with skipper Ben Walsh booting two goals in the opening term, and they never looked in any real danger of losing from there in the 11.10 (76) to 5.16 (46) win.

MCUE was wasteful in front of goal, particularly early, with forward recruit Trent Castles one of the chief culprits. The Goannas kicked five behinds before Lachie Kendall finally found a goal in the second term.

MCUE managed to get themselves back into the game in the second quarter, with goals to youngster Jamie Mooney, playing his first senior game of the season, and Chris Willis getting them to within 11 points.

But steadying goals late in the quarter to Louis Miller and Mick Rothnie, who finished with two goals apiece, kept the Lions in control up 7.5 (47) to 3.6 (24) at half-time.

A goal from Zach Walgers got the Goannas off to the desired start in the second half, but a goal almost immediately from Nick Murray restored the Lions' buffer.

And when Matt Neagle nailed a goal off a tight angle just before time-on in the third term, followed suit by a Jacob Olsson major, the Lions were in full control with a 39-point lead at the last change.

Macri said they set the tone for the win in the first quarter.

"It's always important to start well in a final and fortunately we were able to win that quarter well. But the way we pressured them and didn't give much space to move was pleasing," he said.

"They came back at us a few times and wasted some chances, but we were pleased with how we settled in those situations.

"We can't wait until a break to fix bad patches, we have to do that during the quarter and we've done that a few times this season."

After a quiet first half, former Collingwood player Sam Murray, returning from a hamstring injury for the Lions, began to make an impact off half back in the second half.

Ruckman Jacob Olsson, Matt Neagle, Matt Hamblin and Zac Burhop were strong for the Lions.

It was the fourth straight loss for the Goannas in a horror end to their campaign, all against fellow AFL Riverina Championship top four teams.

Goannas coach Jeremy Rowe, who re-committed to the club for next season during the week, was pleased with his side's application after publicly questioning their effort in the lead-up.

"Going inside 50 and having shots at goal they were much more efficient than we were," Rowe said.

"We both had 21 scoring shots but they've won by 30 points because they were far better in front of goal.

"I said to the guys I'm proud of our effort today and the last few weeks we did feel we lacked the energy a first grade game deserves, but today we had it in spades.

"We fought very hard and there is an element of pride with that, but we're not shying away from the fact we don't want to just compete anymore, we want to be the best."

GGGM 4.4 7.5 11.8 11.10 (76) def MCUE 0.4 3.6 4.11 5.16 (46)

GOALS: GGGM - Ben Walsh 2, Louis Miller 2, Mick Rothnie 2, Sam Murray, Jacob Olsson, Matt Hamblin, Nick Murray, Matt Neagle; MCUE - Zac Walgers 2, Lachie Kendall, Jamie Mooney, Chris Willis.

BEST: GGGM - Jacob Olsson, Matt Neagle, Louis Miller, Aaron Proctor, Sam Martyn, Zac Burhop; MCUE - Harry Collins, Lachie Kendall, Jack Reynolds, Zac Walgers, Jack Carey, Nick Collins.

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