RIVERINA FOOTBALL LEAGUE
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COLLINGULLIE-Ashmont-Kapooka produced an almighty grand final comeback to deliver the club it's first Riverina Football League senior premiership in fine style at Narrandera Sportsground on Sunday.
In one of the best RFL grand finals in years, the Demons fought-back from 30 points down close to half-time to win the thrilling contest, 15.10 (100) to 14.3 (87).
It was history in the making for CAK as it bounced back from two consecutive grand final defeats to claim a breakthrough RFL senior premiership just four years after crossing from the Farrer League.
The Demons started strongly with a mountain of possession, but could not land too many early blows as Chris Gow (concussion), Matt Lewington (leg) and Brenton Loudon (shoulder) all went down with injury.
MCUE, courtesy of an outstanding opening quarter from Mitch Daniher, led by eight points at quarter-time, a lead that quickly grew.
Jake Phillips made his presence felt in the second term as the Goannas stretched their lead to 30 points 18 minutes into the second quarter, and it felt as though a blow-out was brewing.
In arguably the most important six minutes of the grand final, CAK full-forward Brent Arho stepped up and booted three big goals before the break to suddenly bring the Demons back within 10 points at half-time.
With the contest well and truly alive, CAK came out and kicked the first three goals of the third term to hit the front.
CAK started to win the ball out of the midfield, get its running game going and with momentum on its side, the Demons went into three-quarter-time with a one-point advantage.
The two teams went goal-for-goal early in the last quarter with MCUE drawing within two points on two occasions.
It was Matt Beckmans who stood tall with two goals in the space of a minute to give the Demons' breathing space with a 14-point lead, 17 minutes into the final term.
Dan Kennedy then capped off a brilliant performance with the match-winner that gave CAK 19 points clear, and from there the Demons were home with the premiership in the bag.
The Demons had match-winners all over the ground.
Beckmans and Dan Kennedy inspired the performance with huge second-half efforts.
Beckmans won plenty of the footy and drove the Demons into attack on multiple occasions, along with his two final-quarter goals.
Kennedy, for the second week in a row, took some outstanding contested marks across half-back and gave CAK plenty of drive.
Brad Aiken was all class from half-back, while Jayden Klemke, Jimmy Kennedy and Nick Kennedy helped turned the tide with strong performances in the middle.
Chris Jackson won the ruck battle, and produced a couple of courageous efforts backing back in defence during the last quarter, that stopped MCUE from scoring at crucial stages.
Brent Arho had a big game at full-forward and finished with six goals.
His effort to get the Demons back in the game shortly before half-time had a huge influence on the final result.
Geoff Spriggs and Kal Sykes won their battles in defence, while Matt Kennedy, Nick Perryman, Harry Perryman and Joe Banks also shone at various stages.
For MCUE, Mitch Daniher was outstanding through the midfield and did everything he could to get the Goannas going.
Jake Phillips proved dangerous throughout and finished with four goals, while Hunter Lloyd was a rock for the Goannas at centre-half-back.