COHUNA have kept their hopes of playing finals football alive with a 10-goal win over Tyntynder, likely ending the Bulldogs’ chances of a top-five finish.
The Kangas now sit just one game behind fifth-placed Balranald after putting together a dominant second half to win 15.14 (104) to 6.8 (44).
It was the fourth win in a row for the Kangas leading into a clash with third-placed Mallee Eagles this weekend.
Like many games across the region on Saturday, Cohuna and Tyntynder were faced with unfriendly weather, but the gusty wind and cold temperature made little difference in the game’s early hot contest.
Cohuna’s co-skipper Joel Helman kicking the game’s opening goal in what became a goal-for-goal first term.
Helman added another for the Kangas between goals to Tyntynder’s Lachie Martin and Jayden Magro.
Tyntynder quickly took the lead early in the second quarter thanks to a goal to Bulldogs forward Justin Ellis.
Following Xavier Mitchell’s first and Cohuna’s third goal of the game, the Bulldogs regained the lead when a Cohuna free kick was reversed directly in front of the Tyntynder goal.
After Magro converted the shot from directly in front, kicking his second of the game and igniting the Bulldogs supporters, Cohuna hit their straps to end the opening half through Xavier and Jacob Mitchell to lead by four points.
Cohuna had the ability to get on top of the centre-clearance battle, with Kangas ruckman Christopher Anderson consistently finding the likes of Helman, Jackson Williams and Jack Donat.
Having recently re-signed at the Kangas, Jack Geary had a big impact on the game – often acting in the quarterback role behind the contest and picking the right option with a kick under the tough conditions.
It was often one of that duo winning the centre clearance, but Tyntynder trio Brock Storer, Ned Lay and Marcus Wattie battled well in the absence of Roy George.
Tyntynder’s ferocity around the contest was enough to keep them in touch for the game’s early stages, the gusty conditions making long kicks a dangerous prospect for both teams’ defenders.
The Bulldogs had no answer for the Mitchells and the Kangas’ momentum early in the second half, with Jacob and Xavier combining for the first four goals of the third quarter.
The Kangas were able to pile on five goals before Tyntynder got their first for the third term, when Jordi Bibby danced around a couple of defenders and finished with a snap.
But when the dust had settled at three-quarter-time, the Kangas had piled on seven goals to the single Bulldogs goal, pushing the lead out to 45 points.
Cohuna’s complete knowledge of their wide home-ground was on full display in the game’s latter stages, the Kangas players working hard to make use of every centimetre of the ground.
Cohuna continued to venture forward late in the game, but late inaccuracy kept the margin from ballooning out any further than the eventual 10-goal margin.
Jacob and Xavier Mitchell each kicked four goals, Xavier’s second consecutive bag of four, as did Helman who was at his damaging best hunting the ball in the middle and leading towards it.
Under immense pressure for much of the game’s second half, Matthew King, Matthew Gillbee and Isaiah Bull stood tall with intercept marking,
King was integral in defence for the Bulldogs, consistently putting his head over the ball and slingshotting his side forward off the half-back line.
Tyntynder will have a week off with the bye, before they return to action at home against Balranald in round 15.
SCORES
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| Cohuna Kangas | 2.2 | 5.4 | 12.10 | 15.14 | 104 |
| Tyntynder | 2.3 | 4.6 | 5.7 | 6.8 | 44 |
VOTES:
3 – Joel Helman (Cohuna)
2 – Xavier Mitchell (Cohuna)
1 – Jackson Williams (Cohuna)
