DESPITE an inaccurate performance in front of goal, reigning premiers Kerang continued their form to claim their seventh straight victory with a 73-point win over Tooleybuc-Manangatang.
The weekend’s 13.22 (100) to 4.3 (27) result sets up a highly anticipated top-three clash against Woorinen this Saturday, as the Blues remain in the box seat to finish the season on top of the ladder.
With the Saints still without several key players, Kerang controlled the first half, kicking eight of the first nine goals and dominating the play with 22 scoring shots to two.
Although the home said rallied after the main break, the damage was done, before the Blues finished with a five-goal-to-one final term.
While pleased to secure the four points, Kerang coach Troy Coates was less than enthused with his team’s overall performance.
“We went back to our old ways of the first few weeks, and it was a bit disappointing to be honest,” Coates said.
“People will look at the scoreline and think we’d be reasonably happy, but I was a bit frustrated. (Tooleybuc-Manangatang) had a very young side and we just didn’t play great footy.
“It was a bit of a frustrating day but there were plenty of positives, such as Flynn McKnight playing his first senior game alongside his brothers Bohden and Ethan, and ‘Skinny’ (Adam Baird) hitting some form in his second game back from injury.
“There were some positives to take away from it, but it was one of those games that we’re happy to win but learn from, so we can move onto next week and make sure we’re ready to go.
“‘Langy’ (Nick Lang) dominated in the ruck and gave us first use and then with our midfield, we were able to get on top around the contest, which was probably the difference in the end.
“We didn’t make the most of our opportunities really, kicking 22 points is pretty ordinary goalkicking and it was frustrating at times.”
With Tooleybuc-Manangatang without regular ruckman Connor McDonald, Lang was able to do as he pleased, as Ryan Domaille battled manfully in place of McDonald despite giving up both size and experience.
Lang was also able to impact around the ground, with onballer Marty Kelly perhaps the only other player who could lay claim to having more influence on the match.
It was Kerang’s regular stars who did the damage, with Lachlan Ross, Adam Baird, Josh Hann (four goals) and Brett Kennedy (three goals) also among the Blues’ better players.
One shining light for Tooleybuc-Manangatang was the performance of onballer Blake Grant, who was a clear standout with his supreme foot skills and contested ball winning ability earning him a vote despite his team succumbing by 73 points.
Connor Nutting was also lively up forward, while Jaicob Kenny worked tirelessly in defence, with Rydar Morris and Sam Morton also named among the home side’s better players.
One of the few negatives for Kerang were the game-ending injuries to Sam Heavyside and Tyson Clingan, with both in doubt to take on Woorinen in a must-win match for both teams’ finals position aspirations this weekend.
Tooleybuc-Manangatang will be playing for their season this Saturday, hosting the Cohuna Kangas at Manangatang.
SCORES
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| Tooleybuc-Manangatang | 0.1 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 4.3 | 27 |
| Kerang | 3.5 | 8.14 | 8.20 | 13.22 | 100 |
VOTES
3 – Marty Kelly (Kerang)
2 – Nick Lang (Kerang)
1 – Blake Grant (Tooleybuc-Manangatang)
