KERANG gave Nyah Nyah-West United an old-fashioned football lesson at the weekend, beating the undermanned Demons by an incredible 137 points at Riverside Park.
Kerang extended their lead at every break to run out 26.21.177 to 6.4.40 winners – with the Blues showing their versatility up forward across the afternoon.
Troy Coates wound the clock back, kicking seven goals for the afternoon – including the first five of the match – while Nick Stagg kicked six from the midfield. After kicking eight last week against the Swans, the reigning Jack Betts medallist Bryce Curnow managed just four majors for the afternoon and was well held by NNW United defender Cal Dobbin.
Kerang’s ball movement created problems all afternoon for the Demons, with Kerang’s ability to move the ball with speed by hand and run the lines constantly opening up the visitors’ defence – as well their ability to consistently hit targets by foot.
NNW United went into the game undermanned, with the Demons missing their coach Corey Daniels with a hamstring and Riley Daniels, who broke his collarbone against Woorinen.
The visitors’ bad run with injuries continued, with utility Dean Harrop (ankle), midfielder Ethan Saville (soreness) and ruckman Brayden Frost all sitting out the second half – leaving the Demons down on rotations for the second week in a row.
Kerang co-coach Troy Coates couldn’t have been more pleased with his team’s start to the season when speaking with The Guardian following his side’s mammoth win.
“You always want to start the year well, so to come out and hit the scoreboard the way we have over the first two games has been great,” Coates said.
“It hasn’t been our ability to score that’s been the most pleasing part though, as our back six have been absolutely fantastic with defending and keeping our opposition to some pretty low scores – and our midfield have been terrific as well, so each line is playing really well which is what we want.”
With six goals and a dominant midfield display, Stagg earned himself best-on-ground honours, while Ryan Gillingham and Bradlee Pay also proved unstoppable through the midfield throughout the four quarters. Scott Pay stood up in the ruck in the absence of Troy Davis and undoubtedly cemented his spot in the Blues best 22, while Lachlan Ross’s performance in the back half put him among Kerang’s better players, with his ability to read the play and intercept mark quickly making him a vital part of the Blues’ back six.
For the Demons, Jaydyn Stirling was among the better players when shifted on to Coates after the Kerang veteran’s fast start, while Brodie Larkings toiled hard on his own in the ruck after Frost went down. Alex Erlandson, who started at centre half-back, was shifted on to the ball after half-time and could also be pleased with his performance.
NNW United coach Corey Daniels was buoyant after the result.
“I can’t question our endeavour – we were just down on cattle and they’re a really good outfit,” Daniels said.
“We fought really hard for the first 20 minutes of each quarter, but we just seemed to run out of legs in the last five, 10 minutes and that’s when they did most of the damage on the scoreboard.”
“They’re a bloody good outfit, there’s no question about it – they’re as good a team as I’ve seen for a while, they were just so clean and quick with their ball use and they just didn’t make a mistake.”
VOTES
3 votes Nicholas Stagg (Kerang)
2 votes Troy Coates (Kerang)
1 votes Lachlan Ross (Kerang)
MATCH RESULTS
KERANG 6.5 16.8 20.14 26.21.177
NNW UNITED 3.1 4.2 4.4 6.4.40
BEST PLAYERS – KERANG – Nicholas Stagg, Troy Coates, Lachlan Ross, Bradlee Pay, Scott Pay, Ryan Gillingham
NNW UNITED – Jaydyn Stirling, Blake Larkings, Campbell Everitt, Alex Erlandson, Cooper Andrews, Zachary Caccaviello
