Lions roar, but Goannas know they have work to do before finals

After going down by less than a kick to AFL Riverina Championship pacesetters Leeton-Whitton and Wagga Tigers in two of the previous three weeks, the Lions finally have a top four scalp after beating Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes by 35 points.

The 10.15 (75) to 5.10 (40) win allowed the Lions to move a game behind the Crows and Tigers with a 3-2 record before next week's last round.

To seal a top two spot, GGGM needs to beat Turvey Park next week and hope the Tigers or Crows are upset by Osborne or MCUE respectively.

GGGM dominated most facets of a game played in wet conditions and a strong crossfield wind which made kicking a nightmare for both teams.

After leading 1.7 (13) to 1.2 (8) at quarter time GGGM forward Nick Murray kicked two nice goals off free kicks in the tough conditions, before small forward Louis Miller followed suit.

The hosts' three goal lead at halftime stretched to five after two superb finishes from Miller and Matt Hamblin, who was one of the Lions' best throughout.

Lions ruckman Jacob Olsson was yellow carded in the second quarter for an alleged punch on James Scott, but the incident is unlikely to come under any major focus.

The only downside for the Lions was a hamstring injury to gun midfielder Sam Murray early in the match.

GGGM coach Christin Macri said the dominance of the win was just the confidence boost they needed before finals in a fortnight's time.

"We needed to play well and not just win, but have a good strong four quarter performance as a whole unit," he said.

"We set that as the task this week knowing we'd probably play these guys again at some stage, and we didn't want to get into another tight contest.

"It's always tricky in those conditions but it was a case of getting the ball in there as much as possible and try and hit the right spots.

"If we get lucky and one of the top two ends up losing (next week) then we get a chance at a double shot, but if not it's our fault."

Macri was optimistic Murray's hamstring injury isn't a long term issue.

MCUE captain Padric Griffin said the loss was a huge wake up call after they were also easily outplayed in last week's defeat to the Tigers.

"It's a good wake up call and probably not at the time of the season you want it but it definitely hit us between the eyes," Griffin said.

"We were second to the ball and their marking around the ground and their on the ground contents really set the tone for them."

GGGM 1.7, 4.11, 7.13, 10.15 (75) def MCUE 1.2, 2.5, 3.8, 5.10 (40)

GOALS: GGGM Lions - Nicholas Murray 3, Louis Miller 2, Lachlan Parker 2, Ben Walsh 2, Matthew Hamblin; MCUE: Ethan Schiller 3, Zacharie Walgers, Jamieson Bouffler.

BEST: GGGM - Matthew Hamblin, Scott Proctor, Ben Walsh, Daniel Foley, Thomas Quinn, Nicholas Murray; MCUE - Trent Castles, Nick Collins, Trent Cohalan, Zacharie Walgers, Hunter Lloyd, Ethan Schiller.

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