MCUE returns to form with big win over Demons

Relieved Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes coach Jeremy Rowe declared his team rediscovered its mojo in a 70-point belting of Collingullie-Glenfield Park at Mangoplah Sportsgound on Saturday.

After falling to their only two losses of the season over the past three weeks - against Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong and Collingullie-Glenfield Park - the 16.10 (106) to 5.6 (36) win was a timely return to form.

The Goannas are now 13-2, the same record as the Lions who have a superior percentage. But the battle for the minor premiership remains unclear, with GGGM's scheduled road trip to Coolamon on Sunday postponed due to the statewide seven-day lockdown.

The Lions have the bye in the final round, while the Goannas are scheduled to play Leeton-Whitton.

Rowe was scathing of his team's resilience in last week's loss to Turvey Park, and most of the lead-up was spent focusing on the aspects which made them so dominant earlier in the season.

They led by just three points at quarter time, but kicked 13 goals to three after the first break with spearhead Trent Castles booting eight goals.

"We were back to being us today," Rowe said.

"Our focus during the week was we felt for too long we've been representing ourselves in a way which isn't us.

"We spent a fair bit of time this week on what made us such a good footy side early in the season, and for us it was great finding that form by simply abiding by our systems and structures.

"We worked our way through different moments in the game the way we should, and found satisfaction in just winning individual positions and playing your role."

Rowe said the fun factor was back in his side's play, and just in time for the business end.

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"It was just really enjoyable again. I could see with the body language of the players they enjoyed playing and were refreshed again," he said.

"If we play like us, we're a very good football side and hard to beat. It was timely and necessary, because the last few weeks haven't represented anywhere near the standards we're pushing for."

Rowe said they will roll with the punches with what unfolds after the lockdown imposed on Saturday afternoon is lifted, but is hopeful a full finals series will be played.

"All we cared about was playing good footy today. Whatever happens after this, as long as we get to play a finals series we don't mind too much how things end up," he said.

"The big thing for us today was to find our form again and we achieved that. We now feel ready to go for anything, whether it's a week off or we play on Sunday (next week), we've found ourselves again.

"The only thing we care about outside of playing well today is footy resumes as soon as possible and finals footy isn't too far around the corner.

"I really hope to see a top five. You want to finish top three going into the season because you get that double chance, I'd like to see it remain as normal as we can have it."

MCUE 3.0 6.4 10.8 16.10 (106) def Collingullie-GP 2.3 2.4 5.4 5.6 (36)

Goals: MCUE - Trent Castles 8, George Kendall 2, Jake Hindmarsh 2, Douglas Arthur, Trent Cohalan, Ethan Schiller, Brayden Ambler; Collingullie-GP - Spencer Small 2, Edward Perryman, Harry Wichman, James Pope

Best: MCUE Goannas - Ethan Schiller, Jake Hindmarsh, Thomas Keogh, Hunter Lloyd, Trent Castles, Max Hanrahan; Collingullie-GP - Jack Thompson-Gardener, Blake Harper, Edward Perryman, Chad Fuller, Zac Burkinshaw, Dustin Rogers

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