COHUNA coach Neil Bradley admits his team has the “belief and faith that they can come from anywhere” after storming back from a 39-point half-time deficit to snatch victory over Woorinen in a Good Friday classic.
In front of a huge crowd, the Kangas booted 14 second half goals to get home by eight points, and prove again that they are going to be one of the teams to beat in the Central Murray Football and Netball League this season.
“I am absolutely ecstatic,” Bradley said after the win.
“It is hard to put into words where it came from.
“The group have got a good faith and belief in themselves.”
Bradley said he didn’t have any special message for the team at half-time, after Woorinen blew the game apart in the second term with eight goals, including one off the boot of former Adelaide Crow and Geelong Cat Josh Jenkins.
“They are so tight and close,” he said of his team.
“There is a belief and faith that they can come from anywhere.
“I just touched on that (at half-time) and it is just being honest with one another.”
Cohuna came out a completely different side after half-time and kicked the first two through Matthew Robinson and Rhys Free.
Woorinen stabilised with goals to Robbie Miller and Jenkins before Cohuna then put the foot down in the closing stages of the third quarter.
Jack Donat and Patrick Doyle both kicked two goals each at the end of the third, and after looking out of the game at half time, the margin was reduced to four at the last break.
The momentum swung both ways during a tight final quarter, but Cohuna’s experience and class eventually shone through, as they held on for a dramatic win.
Thomas Toma and Oscar Cooke were fantastic for the Kangas, and were well supported by Ben Archard, Daniel Paterson, Joel Helman and Tom Metherall.
For the Tigers, Tom Eltringham kicked four with Jenkins and Miller kicking three apiece.
While disappointed with the loss, Woorinen coach Marcus Demaria said they would learn a lot from the game.
“Unfortunately we ran out of legs and we had some guys cramping up,” he said.
“We are probably a little bit underdone and that probably showed in the second half.
“Credit to Cohuna they were well drilled and well coached.
“They have got elite ball users and we probably struggled to defend that.
“We know that at our best we can play amazing footy but we have got to be prepared to do that for longer periods of time.”
Votes
3 Thomas Toma – Cohuna
2 Jye Barry – Woorinen
1 Oscar Cooke – Cohuna
