Kerang tackles Cohuna Kangas in second semi
IT’S a duel between Kerang and Cohuna Kangas to be first into the Central Murray Football League’s senior footy grand final when they contest Saturday’s second semi-final in Kerang.
The ladder-leading Blues will be aiming to capitalise on home-ground advantage when the match starts at 2.30pm at Kerang’s Riverside Park.
Both teams dominated in the home-and-away series.
Kerang marked a win-loss tally of 15-1 as the Kangas went 14-2.
Cohuna kicked off its finals campaign by winning last Saturday’s qualifying final against Woorinen by 15 points.
Thomas Toma, Jake Hammond, Daniel Paterson and Tom Metherell were best for the Kangas.
The only time the second semi-finalists have met this season was in round eight at Cohuna.
The Kangas led 22-1 at quarter-time, but the Blues blitzed in the second as they scored 8.2 to 3.2.
Kerang’s pressure and run did not relent in the second half as it slammed on 9.8 to 0.5 for a 113-47 victory.
The Blues’ attack was led by Bradlee Pay who kicked four goals and was best afield.
Bryce Curnow and Sean Hunter booted three goals Kerang and Sam Heavyside chipped in with two.
Cohuna’s leading goalkickers were Rhys Free and Dylan Johnstone on two each.
Best for Kerang included Troy Davis, Martin Kelly and Michael Dalrymple.
The Kangas’ best were Jarrod Findlay, Chris Anderson, Brenton Conforti and Dylan Johnstone.
A talented Kerang line-up for the second semi-final includes Troy Coates in a forward pocket, rover Nick Stagg, Ryan Gillingham at half-forward, captain Josh Nitschke as ruck-rover, Brandon Hayes and Lachlan Ross in defence.
Cohuna will look to captain Thomas Toma and Tom Metherell across half-back, Jarrod and Tyson Findlay, Joel Helman, Sam McGlone, Ben Archard and Riley Hird to play big games to upset the Blues.
The reserves match between Kerang and Woorinen starts at 12.25pm.
The Woorinen Tigers won their qualifying final against Lake Boga by 26 points.
Kerang and Woorinen had identical records of 15-1 in the home-and-away series.
In round three, Kerang won 75-18 at Woorinen.
The Tigers triumphed 55.22 at Riverside Park in the 13th round.
It’s a one-all record between under-17 ½ finalists Lake Boga and Kerang.
The Magpies and Blues will clash from 10.20am.
Kerang scored a 95-point victory in the qualifying final against Koondrook Barham.
In round six, Kerang won 73-11 at Lake Boga.
The Pies won 74-13 at Riverside Park in their latest showdown.
First of the second semi-finals will be the under-14 ½ match between Swan Hill and Lake Boga from 9am.
The Magpies beat Kerang, 48-15 in the qualifying final.
Only meeting between these teams in the regular season was the Anzac round match on April 24 which Swan Hill won 68-8.
Schedule for Saturday’s second semi-finals at Kerang’s Riverside Park:
Under-14 ½ at 9am: Swan Hill v Lake Boga.
Under-17 ½ at 10.20am: Lake Boga v Kerang.
Reserves at 12.25pm: Kerang v Woorinen.
Seniors at 2.30pm: Kerang v Cohuna Kangas.
Written by Nathan Dole.
