Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes took a step towards regaining their best form in time for finals with a 30-point win over Turvey Park on Saturday.
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It was not great conditions but it did not stop the Goannas from putting in a performance that pleased coach Travis Cohalan as they beat the Bulldogs, 9.6 (60) to 4.6 (30) at Mangoplah Sportsground.
MCUE started strongly in the wet and had set up a match-winning 28-point lead by the main break.
With an elimination final three weeks away, Cohalan said there were plenty of positive signs in the win.
“Absolutely, certainly in the first half in wet conditions,” Cohalan said.
“Wet weather is a great leveller and you find out a lot about footballers, who wants the footy and is willing to work hard to win the footy and in the first half we certainly showed that.
“We had a good first half and then we dropped away a bit after that.”
The Goannas did pick up injuries however. Stace Creasy (hamstring), Matt Collins (back) and Jesse Cunningham (cork) failed to finish the game but Cohalan hoped none would impact finals availability.
The injuries came on the back of some late withdrawals in Paddy Griffin (knee), Jack Carey (hand) and Kyle Chandler (hamstring).
Tom Keogh and Andrew Dickins were the Goannas’ best, while Nick McCormack and Brent Arho also had good games.
Arho is starting to run into some good form and kicked four goals.
Matt Bailey and Jeremy Sykes were Turvey Park’s best players.
MCUE face Griffith at Exies Oval next week before having the final round bye. It looks likely they will meet Leeton-Whitton in an elimination final.
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