A SECOND half onslaught helped Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes maintain their perfect start to the season with a 47-point victory over Coolamon on Sunday.
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The Goannas' foray into same-day Sunday football proved a stunning success as the Goannas recorded their 11th straight victory in front of a big crowd at Mangoplah Sportsground, winning 14.9 (93) to 6.10 (46).
For the second time this year, MCUE ran right over the top of Coolamon in the second half as they booted nine goals to one after the break.
Coolamon were again able to seriously challenge the Goannas early, this time getting right on top in the second quarter to fight back from 19 points down to lead by two at half-time.
But the lead was short-lived as the Goannas ran rampant in the third quarter, kicking four unanswered goals to establish a four-goal lead. It could have been more if not for inaccuracy.
It was more of the same in the final term as MCUE kicked the first four goals to put the game beyond reach, and cement their position on top of the Riverina League ladder.
MCUE coach Jeremy Rowe was rapt to win a 'finals type game'.
"I'm actually going away from today's game really, really happy because I felt we got challenged by a side that seemed to be operating somewhere near their best," Rowe said.
"Certainly in that second quarter, they definitely had their tails up, their forward line was functioning at a very high level and our backs were caught on the hop, probably for the first time this year.
"So for us to have to go into arm-wrestle mode in the early stages in the third, the levee was going to break either way and it broke our way, we got the first and we then made sure we continued to flow on from there.
"I'm actually impressed with this game because I just feel it resembles a finals type game. It resembles a game where you're opponent is always going to come at you. Today we had an opponent that when they came at us, they had enough quality that they were able to really bother us and certainly at half-time, I felt we were as vulnerable as we had been all year.
"But for us to come out and get that result, and the way we got it back on our terms in the second half, I'm actually quite proud of our players."
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Trent Castles was the difference in the opening term, booting 3.3, and then finished the day with 6.4, and kicked two out on the full in a strong display in attack.
Ryan Price and Ethan Schiller also had big games. Price was moved onto Jerry Maslin in the second half and helped limit his influence, while Schiller was busy through the midfield.
Jerry Maslin, who kicked three, and Jake Barrett were Coolamon's best.
In a touching display, both teams lined up either side as Ben Edyvean was chaired from the ground in his record-breaking first grade game for the Hoppers. The Goannas also gave him the match ball.
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