COHUNA have claimed their second win of the year with a strong 25-point victory against Swan Hill, led by another outstanding midfield performance from Joel Helman capped off with four goals.
Helman was at his best rotating through the middle and the Kangas’ forward line, which broke the 100-point mark for the first time this year to win 16.7 (103) to 11.12 (78).
Izaac Johnson was a devastating presence in attack for Cohuna, finishing the game with five goals, while Jacob Mitchell added another four goals in his return from injury.
Cohuna coach Jack Geary said he hoped the win would signal the Kangas’ return to form.
“It’s just a relief to finally get on the winners’ list, and hopefully this can be a kickstarter for our season,” Geary said.
“I’ve been confident every week.
“Our best footy is up there with the best and we can beat anyone, even if it takes a bit of time to get there.
“I think once we do hit our straps, and hopefully we haven’t shot ourselves in the foot with the start, we can still give ourselves a chance at playing finals.
“If we were to squeeze into that fourth or fifth spot from here I think we could really scare a few teams cme come the pointy end of the season.”
While Sam Leitch battled all day, Swan Hill ruckman Tobias Thoolen was dominant in the ruck, both with his tap-work and with his ability to win his own clearances.
But Cohuna’s co-captains Helman and Jarrod Findlay were able to gain the upper hand through the middle alongside Daniel Coates and Jack Donat.
Geary described Helman’s performance as “just dynamite” and said the strong performances across the ground allowed flexibility with his use.
“He’s so dynamic in the midfield but he’s equally damaging once he goes up forward,” he said.
“With our inclusions, we had the luxury to throw Joel to the goal square and allow him to play one-out and just see what he could do.
“It helps other blokes pop up as well.
“Jacob Mitchell and Izaac Johnson were great and Dylan Johnstone presented well all game.
“That’s probably the difference: all of a sudden, we kick a score that can win a game.”
Swan Hill’s day was made all the harder when they lost on-baller Jose Miliado late in the first half with a hamstring complaint, while Cohuna’s Ryan Semmel also came off before half-time with a knee injury.
With the loss of Miliado, Swans midfielders Ned McKeown, Elijah Miliado and Michael Herlihy kicked into a higher gear to keep the Swans within touching distance throughout the day.
Herlihy was the top scorer for the Swans with three goals, while McKeown and Thoolen each kicked two for the game.
Swan Hill’s entire team celebrated with youngster Lane Cardenas when he kicked his first senior goal early in the first quarter.
But Cohuna’s spread and precise ball movement was enough to enable them to control the game on their terms, the Kangas’ players running hard to make the most of their large home ground.
Geary said his side were at their best when they maximised the home-ground advantage by spreading the game as much as possible.
“It’s not rocket science what we’re trying to do,” he said.
“We’re trying to make the Cohuna ground as big as we possibly can because it’s massive.
“We want to stretch sides, whether that’s in a zone or one-on-one.
“We try to play that brand of footy where we want to be a little daring with our ball movement.
“If it doesn’t come off, we are sort of scrambling a little bit, but we won’t ever stop competing.
“If you want to defend the Cohuna Kangas, you’re going to have to work pretty hard, because we’re going to use every every inch of the ground we can.”
Following their first win since round 2, the Kangas will be hoping for another strong showing away from home against the undefeated NNWU Demons in round 7.
Swan Hill will also face a tough ask as they host Kerang next week.
FINAL SIREN
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| COHUNA | 6.1 | 10.6 | 14.6 | 16.7 | 103 |
| SWAN HILL | 3.3 | 6.6 | 8.8 | 11.12 | 78 |
VOTES
3 – Joel Helman (Cohuna)
2 – Izaac Johnson (Cohuna)
1 – Tobias Thoolen (Swan Hill)
