IN ANOTHER mini-elimination final for the Cohuna Kangas, the home side prevailed in a dour but hard-fought 12-point victory over Woorinen.
After weeks of cold and miserable conditions, the weather gods shone brightly at Cohuna for the all-important fourth versus fifth clash.
Tom Toma was out for the Kangas with an arm injury which could see him miss the remainder of the season.
The Kangas jumped out of the blocks with the Tigers’ arch nemesis Angus Grigg opening his account straight away.
Kansas Varker added another for the home side, before Grigg flew over the pack to mark, taking out Tiger coach Nick Trenfield with a stray knee in the process. The Woorinen leader appeared heavily concussed and took no further part in the match.
Tigers Jamie Nicholas and Tim Gammon goaled in rare forward thrusts, but the Kangas were able to respond with goals to Rhys Free and Grigg.
Wasted opportunities for the home side kept the margin to 16 points at the first change, with Grigg a main culprit of the inaccuracy.
The second quarter was an arm wrestle, with both defences getting on top.
The Tigers opted to run with a loose man across half-back to try to curb Grigg’s influence and assist Kyle Steike with support in the marking contests.
The Tigers were inaccurate themselves, but poor turnovers into flooding defences turned the match into a second-rate contest.
Kieran Treacy, Daniel Paterson and Levi Moss gave great run for the Kangas, likewise Tigers Aaron Cadd, Jye Barry and Ben Heenan.
But the money pass into the forward line failed to hit targets for both sides.
A goal on the siren to the visitors saw the margin back to six points and the supporters were happy to see the end of a very ordinary quarter of football.
The Tigers jumped out after the long break with a goal to Nicholas, but signs of the game opening up closed, with flooding defences and costly turnovers coming to the fore again.
Christian Bock was once again influential in the ruck for the home side, as was Kanga Drew Bartram whose clever reading of the play has been a revelation since moving into defence.
With the match mostly played between the two 50m arcs, Doug Palmer was able to find space to get the all-important goal in a low-scoring affair.
The Iannucci brothers, Jason and Matt, were using the open spaces of the Cohuna ground to good effect.
Add in the rebounding work of Aaron Cadd and the Tigers looked like gaining the ascendency.
Grigg popped up again to give the Kangas the advantage as the home side took a two-point lead into the final change.
Shane Jacobs was putting in a consistent game for the home side as was fellow on-baller Joel Bartram.
The match was up for the taking — a double chance and third spot for the Tigers and a tighter hold on fifth spot and a chance to keep the Mallee Eagles at arm’s length for the Kangas.
Matt Rice goaled straight up for the Kangas and doubled up after receiving a 50m penalty for a late hit after a mark.
Palmer replied instantly to trim the margin back to eight points, and the game was again showing signs of opening up.
Kyle Steicke was moved into the centre, but the deft ruck work of Chris Anderson and roving of Joel Bartram was giving the Kangas clear passage into the forward line.
Anthony Alderuccio was his usual bull at a gate best in the clearances but there were no answers to Grigg.
The power forward took the next two contested marks and converted both. Another to Eldridge after advantage was given sae the Kangas shoot out to a matchwinning 30-point lead.
Hamlyn and Jake Schmidt gave their all for the Tigers in defence, but the Kangas continued their excellent recent record against the Tigers and looked the likely victors.
Late goals to Nicholas and Dwayne Hamlyn gave the score some respectability for the Tigers but the Kangas once again survived to keep their finals hopes alive.
The Kangas next come up against a visiting Balranald while the Tigers look to rebound at Nyah.
