A FIVE-goal last quarter has seen Cohuna keep their finals hopes alive, overrunning a dogged Tooleybuc-Manangatang by 22 points.
When the Saints took the lead early in the last quarter, it looked as though an upset may have been on the cards, with the Kangas staring down the barrel of a season-defining loss.
But Tyson Findlay’s men responded, kicking five of the last six goals to move themselves to the cusp of the top five.
It could be considered a game of missed opportunities for the Saints, who failed to take their chances in the second quarter, kicking 1.7 to the Kangas’ 5.1, giving the visitors a 13-point lead going into the third quarter.
While Cohuna extended their lead, Tooleybuc-Manangatang wrested back the momentum have the scores almost deadlocked with a quarter to play.
It was a performance that left Kangas coach Findlay impressed – and one he hoped might have the Kangas on the verge of turning their season around.
“It was good to see the group respond and play the way we did, especially after (the) disappointing loss to Swan Hill,” Findlay said.
“The boys came with a good, positive attitude and I think we put together a pretty good four-quarter performance with our pressure and intensity around the contest, and our will to hunt the footy.”
While the Saints’ onballers had their fair share of clearances, especially Mitch Grant in the centre, it was Cohuna’s ability to win the ball back and create from their defensive half that set that set them apart, according to Findlay.
“I felt our intercept and run off half-back, through Dan Paterson, Tom Metherell and Will Thrum, was the difference,” Findlay said.
“Our rebound and attacking footy off half-back, plus our intensity all over the ground was much better compared with the week before and our hunting of the footy was a lot more prominent.”
With Mason Fehring returning for his first senior game of the season, the Kangas swung Dylan Johnstone forward to resume his partnership with Rhys Free. The pair contributed seven goals between them.
Tooleybuc-Manangatang spearhead Josh Williams continued his good form at the other end of the ground, booting five goals despite close attention from Brenton Conforti all afternoon.
Luke Conca and Joel Helman were also among the Kangas’ better players, along with Daniel Coates, while Ethan Goldfinch, Jaicob Kenny, Johnathan Marsden, Connor McDonald and Timothy Babui, in his first game in the red, white and black, were among the home side’s best.
It was a much-improved performance from the Saints, who will go into this Saturday’s match against Tyntynder with a very real chance of claiming their second victory of the season.
But it would appear they may have to do so without midfielder Mitch Grant, who left the field late in the game and didn’t return.
FINAL SIREN
| TOOLEY-MANANG | 2.4 | 3.11 | 9.11 | 11.13 | 79 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COHUNA | 1.5 | 6.6 | 10.7 | 15.11 | 101 |
VOTES
3 – Luke Conca (Cohuna)
2 – Daniel Paterson (Cohuna)
1 – Ethan Goldfinch (Tooleybuc-Manang)
