FORMER Adelaide Crows forward Chris Ladhams bagged 10 goals as he single handily steered Coolamon to victory over Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong on Sunday.
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Ladhams proved the difference up forward as he made the most of every opportunity and guided the Hoppers home in a close one at Kindra Park, 17.8 (110) to 15.13 (103).
Four first quarter goals to Coolamon, all from Ladhams, gave them a handy 21-point advantage and it was a lead that GGGM was unable to reel in.
The Lions only have themselves to blame as they had enough inside 50 entries and wasted several opportunities in front of goal.
They bombarded their attacking 50 in the final term and charged home from 36 points down but ran out of time.
Coolamon only went forward a handful of times but with Ladhams unstoppable, he managed two kick two and set up the Hoppers’ other goal for the quarter.
Coolamon coach Matt Hard lauded Ladham’s performance.
“I asked him to contribute up forward and I think he’s done that,” Hard said.
“He was fantastic for us today. He gave us a great target, and I was happy with the forwards in general, they set up quite well and some other forwards sacrificed their own game to allow Chris to play that role.”
Ladhams produced everything, using his great strength for several one-handed marks, while also crumbing his own packs to snap goals from nowhere.
Hard conceded he was the difference.
“There is no doubt, he was the difference,” he said.
“Whenever we went forward he was always dangerous and I’m pretty sure the backman were quite nervous when it went down there in a one-on-one situation.”
While Ladhams was awesome, Matt White also caused headaches for Coolamon at the other end and finished with six goals in a strong display.
Hard though was happy to take the four points from their first game of the year.
“It was a tough game, it was always going to be a tough game, so good to get the four points that’s for sure,” he said.
Full-time
COOLAMON (110)
4.4 9.5 14.8 17.8
GGGM (103)
1.1 6.4 8.8 15.13
Goals: (Coolamon) C Ladhams 10, P McGrath 2, M Crawford 2, M Carroll, D Ryall, C Neyland; (GGGM) M White 6, J Walsh 3, C Steele 2, H Stapleton 2, B Walsh, N McPherson.
Best: (Coolamon) P McGrath, C Ladhams, D Ryall, H Leary, B Koop, J Maddox; (GGGM) N McPherson, J Kotzur, B Walsh, T Quinn, M White, S Hatty.
