Supreme defensive effort helps CAK through to third straight RFL decider

COLLINGULLIE-Ashmont-Kapooka produced one of the biggest defensive efforts of the season to move into a third consecutive Riverina Football League (RFL) grand final.

CAK will meet long-time rival Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes in the premiership decider after it outlasted Coolamon in a dour preliminary final, 7.8 (50) to 4.7 (31).

The Demons led for all but a six-minute period in the third quarter as defenders Dan Kennedy, Josh Meiselbach and Kal Sykes produced super efforts to virtually shut Coolamon's forward line down.

CAK restricted Coolamon from scoring completely in the opening term and the Hoppers only had one goal to their name by half-time.

Coolamon came to life with the first three goals of the third quarter to hit the front but it was short-lived as the Hoppers again went goalless for the final 35 minutes of the contest.

The game lacked any attacking flair with CAK full-forward Brent Arho the only real threat as he finished 4.3 for the day.

CAK coach Shane Lenon rated the Demons' effort highly.

"It's great to be into another grand final, you play footy to play finals, you play footy to play in grand finals and we've been very lucky at this footy club that over the years we've been able to do that pretty consistently," Lenon said.

"But to me that was a pretty special performance.

"The way they stuck their head over the footy, worked for each-other and put their bodies on the line, I thought it was pretty special.

"I'm proud of the way they went about it."

Geoff Spriggs failed a Sunday morning fitness test, while fellow defender Joe Banks was a late withdrawal with the flu.

The Demons had their backs to the wall, especially when Coolamon charged in the third term, but responded in the way only good teams do.

"I just thought in the third quarter we were challenged and last week we were challenged and I didn't think we responded the right way," Lenon said.

"But we responded the right way today."

While CAK's defence was brilliant, Coolamon's forwards were as equally disappointing.

Meiselbach went to Joe Redfern and shut him down, while Sykes did the job on Coolamon coach Lew Roberts.

Mark Crawford and Mitch O'Brien provided some life for the Hoppers but with others down it became obvious how much they miss Rick Pritchett.

CAK got through without any injuries with Spriggs and Banks expected to return for the grand final.

Aside from Kennedy, Meiselbach and Sykes, others to perform strongly were Jayden Klemke, Nick Kennedy, Chris Jackson and Jimmy Kennedy.

For Coolamon, Ryan Chamberlain, Greg Aki and Connor Neyland were excellent in defeat.