KERANG scored a convincing 38-point victory over the Cohuna Kangas on Saturday at Riverside Park, kicking 14.12 (96) to 8.10 (58).
The Blues controlled the contest after quarter time, dominating contested situations and seeming to have more system in the rematch of last year’s grand finalists.
Kangas key defender Tom Metherell was late injury withdrawal, forcing renowned forward Dylan Johnstone to start at full back, which may have deprived them an avenue to goal.
Early on it was the Kangas who settled better, with newcomer Luke Conca dominating the packs.
He received great support from Daniel Coates, who was lively on the outer wing, and Joel Helman and Jack Donat were winning easy possessions.
The Kangas burst out the blocks, with goals to Helman, Rhys Free and Jarrod Findlay giving them an 18-point lead midway through this first term.
It seemed to unsettle the Blues, with Conca having the ball on a string through the middle of the ground.
But the Blues came back into the match towards the end of the term, with two goals to Troy Coates and another to Rylee Smith, before a late goal to Riley Hird put the Kangas up by four points at quarter time.
Coates was unhappy with the efforts of his charges in the first term, and he let them know in no uncertain terms when addressing them, pointing out that a lack of effort was putting the result of the game in danger.
Kerang responded, with veterans Marty Kelly and Brad Pay lifting their work rate significantly.
Kelly kicked a clever goal, while Pay kicked two great goals to wrest back the lead form the Kangas.
Further goals to Coates and Rylee Smith, who had taken control of the midfield from Conca, pushed the margin out to 17 points at half time.
Smith took his game up another level after the main break, dominating through the midfield and across half forward.
Kerang key forward Michael Runciman began to run riot, booting two long goals.
When the ever-reliable Ryan Gillingham chipped in with his first major for the match, the game was fast getting beyond the grasp of the Kangas.
Cohuna were well served by Jarrod Findlay, Coates and Helman in the third term, as they tried to lift their teammates.
The last term allowed some of the Kangas’ younger players get their chance, with Mitchell Treacy playing some impressive football across half forward, Tynan Dove and Cooper McLachlan lively, and Toby Duncan showing potential for coming seasons.
Smith continued to dominate pack situations, along with the Blues captain Josh Nitschke, while Adam Hunter was impressive, taking several strong pack marks.
Cohuna seemed to lack system and, with Free limping off the ground in the third term with a hamstring injury, had no avenue to goal.
The Kangas’ selectors will need to look to move Johnstone forward next week if they are to kick a winning score against the improving Swan Hill, otherwise their season may well be on the line.
FINAL SIREN
| KERANG | 3.2 | 8.4 | 11.9 | 14.12 | 96 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COHUNA | 4.0 | 5.5 | 6.7 | 8.10 | 58 |
VOTES
3 – Rylee Smith (Kerang)
2 – Josh Nitschke (Kerang)
1 – Adam Hunter (Kerang)
