COHUNA have strengthened their claims on a top-five finish, thumping Koondrook-Barham by 100 points.
The Kangas’ ball movement was too much for the inexperienced visitors, with Cohuna’s seventh win coming 18.19 (127) to 4.3 (27).
Cohuna in fourth are a game clear of finals hopefuls Lake Boga and Nyah Nyah West United.
After a controlled first quarter from the home side, they kicked it up a gear in the second, kicking six goals to one.
Coach Tyson Findlay said the win came from the effort of the whole side.
“I thought we did really well as a collective today,” he said after the match.
“Our midfield did fantastic. Our half-back line as well were working really well together.
“At times we’ve had the luxury of being able to swap guys around based on match-ups.
“We want to be able to have that flexibility, especially for when we go up against some of the stronger sides.
“It’s good to be able to keep opposition sides guessing.”
The standout performer for Kangas had to be midfielder Joel Helman.
Helman was impressive all over the ground, running all day and making his impact felt at contests and in possession.
He also picked up a bag of five goals, with the only knock on his game being his set-shot kicking.
Findlay said he was happy with Helman’s performance up forward.
“Joel is a great player for us,” he said.
“It was really good to be able to have him rest up in the forward line for a bit and have him get a few on the scoreboard.
“I think he ended up kicking five goals, nine behinds, but he still had an absolute day out.
“I’m happy that he could have a bit of a rest instead of grinding away all day in the midfield.
“We know what sort of performances to expect out of him, his work rate is great.
“He’s been a great player for us, he just keeps doing his thing week in, week out.”
Daniel Coates was another fantastic performer for the Kangas, claiming his own bag of four goals and finding the footy.
The best performers for Koondrook-Barham included Colin McVeigh, last year’s best and fairest Jack Shannon and defender Will Lake.
Findlay said his side were trying to take each game as they came.
“We’re really sticking to that old cliche of just taking it one week at a time,” he said.
“We would really love to knock off one of those top-three sides, just to give us that really strong belief.
“But for now we just need to be winning each game and not be thinking about finals at this time of the year.”
For Koondrook-Barham coach Will Callow, the future was key for his side.
After his recent reappointment as River Raiders coach for next season, Callow said his side was learning every week.
“It’s been a real education process when it comes to playing in the style that we want to be playing,” he said.
“We definitely have some good passages of play, but it’s about trying to maintain that for two hours, rather than just coming in and out of the game.
“These kids need stability in the side, they can’t have us chopping and changing all the time.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to go again and to see where we can take this side.”
While the Raiders host the Demon’s next week, Cohuna are faced with a tough assignment when they do battle against Woorinen.
Findlay said his side were ready for the challenge against the second-placed side.
“Woorinen are playing unreal footy at the moment,” he said.
“They’re always tough to beat at their home ground.
“We’re really looking forward to that challenge and no doubt it will be a cracker of a game.”
FINAL SIREN
| Cohuna | 4.4 | 10.0 | 14.13 | 18.19 | 127 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koondrook Barham | 0.1 | 1.2 | 3.2 | 4.3 | 27 |
VOTES
3 – Joel Helman (Cohuna)
2 – Daniel Coates (Cohuna)
1 – Jack Donat (Cohuna)
