TRENT Castles has sent an early statement he will be a force to be reckoned with in the AFL Riverina Championship after booting five goals in wet conditions in Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes' 11.7 (73) to 2.8 (20) win over Turvey Park at Maher Oval on Saturday.
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The Albury recruit was ushered into the Goannas line-up after missing the first two games, and has regularly booted more than 100 goals per season in recent years.
The hitout against the winless Bulldogs was the ideal build-up for Castles before MCUE host Wagga Tigers in a round four blockbuster next week.
It also meant former captain Trent Colahan celebrated his 300th club game in style.
"His performance was unreal when you really think about it," MCUE coach Jeremy Rowe said.
"We knew he was a very good footballer coming in but to have your first game for your club on a wet day, a lesser guy probably would have come in and struggled to get into the game.
"He announced himself as a pretty good player early and to kick five in those conditions was a great effort for a key forward."
The Bulldogs made the Goannas work hard early and trailed by only ten points at quarter time, but didn't kick a goal after the first break.
"To keep a team goalless for three quarters was a real feather in our cap," Rowe said.
"In the first quarter it was pretty hot and Turvey won their fair share of the contested ball. They were a bit better in the centre bounces and we were letting the ball get out the back a bit too much.
"Just the way we adapted throughout the course of the game was good. We still wanted to try and resemble the way we move and transition the footy, but by halftime we knew it was a slog and we adapted to that."
Rowe said they were looking forward to the challenge next week against a Tigers team who racked up a second straight win against Leeton-Whitton on Saturday.
Both teams are in a group of four with a 2-1 record atop the ladder, with the Crows and Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong to also lock horns in round four.
"For us to be playing Tigers at home, both being 2-1 and both winning our past two, is awesome for local footy," Rowe said.
"It's a massive challenge for our club, and one we're ready for.
"It is definitely a blockbuster and they're the games we want to be a part of."
Midfielder Harry Collins is likely to miss the clash after pulling up with a tight quad.
"We see Harry as an A-grade midfielder for us, and when you're playing in the big games you need your best players playing," Rowe said.
"We won't risk him at this stage of the year, he's far too valuable for us for the back end."
MCUE 3.4 5.5 8.6 11.7 (73) def Turvey Park 2.0 2.4 2.7 2.8 (20)
Goals: MCUE - Trent Castles 5, Rhys Mooney 3, Lachlan Kendall, Ethan Schiller, Zacharie Walgers; Turvey Park - Angus Curry 2.
Best: MCUE - Jack Reynolds, Trent Castles, Jack Carey, Rhys Mooney, Timothy Smith, Pat Killalea; Turvey Park - Jackson Weidemann, Timothy Doyle, Jesse Margosis, Jackson Moye, Chase Grintell, Daniel Leary
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