COOLAMON ensured they remain in the hunt for a finals berth with a 16-point victory over Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong on Sunday.
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A gallant Lions outfit kept coming all day but Coolamon had too many answers in an entertaining local derby, winning 16.10 (106) to 14.6 (90) at Ganmain Sportsground.
The game developed into a shootout and it was Coolamon’s key forward combination of Joe Redfern and Roy Kantilla that stepped up in a match-winning display.
Redfern booted five goals and Kantilla bagged six for the Hoppers, while GGGM’s Riley Corbett was again a shining light in a beaten team with seven goals.
GGGM started strongly with the first two goals of the game, before Coolamon replied with the next five to go into quarter-time 18 points clear.
From there, Coolamon were never headed. The Lions got within three points in the second term, and twice drew within two goals in the third quarter but the Hoppers were able to hold them at bay.
Coolamon coach Matt Hard knows wins in the local derby against the Lions are never easy to come by and was happy to return home with the points.
“It was a big day for the Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong Footy Club so we knew we had to come out and play good footy and that it was going to be a hard contested game, which it was,” Hard said.
“To get away with the four points, it probably wasn’t pretty at times but we walk away with a very much needed four points so we’re very happy with that.”
Hard was happy with the way his team held their nerves at times, fought their way back in the stoppages and the amount of contributors the Hoppers had.
He was also impressed with the way his forward line functioned, with Redfern and the accurate Kantilla leading the charge.
“It works well, they all know how we want to set up down there and they all work for each other,” Hard said.
“They all know what their role up there is, and that’s the key. It’s worked well for the last couple of weeks and today to kick a winning score like that is a good effort. We’re happy with that.”
While Redfern and Kantilla finished off the good work, Coolamon had winners across the ground. Marshal Macauley was outstanding across half-back, while Jamie Maddox was good through the midfield.
For GGGM, Corbett was a strong focal point and bagged seven. Zac Wiencke was lively and kicked four goals, while Jacob Olsson was close to best-on-ground with a top display in the ruck.
Unfortunately for the Lions, Tom Anderson (collarbone) and Mitch Carroll (knee) were both injured early and played no further part in the game after quarter time.