MANGOPLAH-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes dismissed another serious challenger in fine style with a 60-point thrashing of Collingullie-Glenfield Park on Saturday.
The Goannas showed why they are on top of the Riverina League ladder as a superior work rate laid the platform for a big win, 12.14 (86) to 3.8 (24) at Mangoplah Sportsground.
The Demons came in for the big game on the back of two strong victories but they were blown away by a workman-like MCUE outfit that squeezed the life out of the reigning premiers.
The defensive effort was a highlight from the Goannas and it showed on the scoreboard as Collingullie did not score their first goal until the 18 minute mark of the third term.
It was only a minor consolation for last year’s grand final result but going forward, the win puts the Goannas in a commanding position for a top three spot, at the very least.
Andrew Dickins was effective as a forward target and bagged five, while MCUE midfielders Harry Collins, Stace Creasy, Jack Killalea and Stu Carey worked tirelessly.
MCUE coach Chris Daniher was proud of his team’s work rate, they effort defensively as they did all the basics so well.
“I suppose that’s what we saw today, you try to get a level don’t you and try to keep it but today they were very good at that and it was a really good win,” Daniher said.
Daniher said even though the Goannas went into half-time with a 37-point lead, he did not think there was that much between the two teams.
“Defensively, it was a real slog,” he said.
“They missed a few opportunities at the start of the game, I suppose so did we, but I just felt it was a really high pressure game, a lot of intensity early and we got a few more goals and skipped away to give us a bit of a break at half-time but I didn’t think there was that much in it.”
The Goannas now sit a game clear on top of the ladder, but more importantly three wins clear of fourth.
A top three spot gives teams a double chance and that is what the Goannas are chasing.
“Top three first, it’s always very important,” Daniher said.
“As far as that goes, it’s a real bonus, to have another good win.
“We’ve got some away games now, we play Leeton away, Narrandera, Ganmain, Griffith all away in the run home so it’s going to be a bit of a slog but to win these home games is really important in the second half of the year.”
Both teams got through relatively unscathed.
Full-time
MCUE (86)
2.2 6.5 8.9 12.14
CGP (26)
0.3 0.4 1.6 3.8
Goals: (MCUE) A Dickins 5, T Metcalfe 2, C Sanbrook, H Collins, W Keogh, T Keogh, S Carey; (CGP) L Moore, B Ambler, N Kennedy.
Best: (MCUE) H Collins, J Killalea, A Dickins, D Rogers, P Killalea, S Carey; (CGP) C Jackson, J Klemke, H Perryman, T Haines, D Kennedy, W Haines.
