BY NATHAN DOLE
NYAH Nyah West United has grabbed the fifth rung on the Central Murray FNL’s senior footy ladder after 15 rounds.
The NNWU Demons won last Saturday’s home clash with Swan Hill by 22 points to now be fifth at three rounds to go in the regular season of the 3SH-backed competition.
As the Demons fired into the five, Cohuna Kangas dropped out after a loss at home to the unbeaten Kerang.
At Nyah the NNWU Demons led 45-22 at half-time.
Swan Hill fought back to win the third quarter, 26-23, but the Demons tally of 1.3 to 1.1 in the last sealed a 77-55 victory.
Key forward Hassan Ahmat-Watkins kicked four goals for NNWU as Brayden Bigham added two.
The Swans’ attack was led by Matthew Wade, three; and Jarvis Keogh, two.
Best for the Demons were Joel Walsh, Joel Campbell, Ethan Saville, Brayden Bigham, Alex Erlandson and Riley Daniels.
Matthew Wade, Jose Miliado, Toby Thoolen, Brandon Houlihan, Adam Manning and Xavier Moloney were Swan Hill’s best.
Cohuna started well in its clash at home with Kerang.
The Kangas scored four goals in the first term as Kerang kicked 4.2.
In the second it was Kerang which took control to add 3.3 to a goal.
A 17-point buffer for the Blues at the start of the second half grew to 24 at a quarter to play.
Although Cohuna fought back to win the last, 21-6, it was Kerang which marked a 74-65 victory.
The Blues’ attack was led by Michael Runciman, three; Tyson Clingan and Rylee Smith, two.
Jake Hammond kicked a match-high four goals for Cohuna as Rhys Free chipped in with two.
Best for the Troy Coates-coached Kerang were Rylee Smith, Josh Nitschke, Jesse Clark, Sam Heavyside, Martin Kelly and Ryan Gillingham.
Jake Hammond, Joel Helman, Jarrod Findlay, Tom Metherell, Daniel Paterson and Cooper McLoughlan played well for the Tyson Findlay-coached Kangas.
Lake Boga scraped home for a five-point victory at Tyntynder.
It was the Bulldogs who dominated on their ground across the opening three quarters.
Tyntynder led 27-9 at quarter-time and 40-25 by the main break.
Heat was right on Lake Boga in the third as the Bulldogs scored 3.5 to 1.4.
The Magpies faced a 28-point deficit going into the final term.
Lake Boga’s desperation lifted markedly in the last 30 minutes as it slammed on 6.3 to a goal to complete a 74-69 victory.
Lochie Laing led Lake Boga’s attack on four goals as Xavier Sherlock added two.
Tyntynder’s leading goalkickers were Jordi Bibby and Jason Eagle on three, and Zac Denham with two.
Best for Lake Boga were Daniel Dzufer, Jayden Lonergan, Lochie Laing, Tyle Williams, Matt Taverna and Jacob Simpson.
Matt Gilbee, Jordi Bibby, Harry Simpson, Zac Denham, Brock Storer and Elliot Broad starred for the Bulldogs.
Hauls of eight and five goals by Brent Macleod and Andrew McDonald led Mallee Eagles to a 49-point win against Tooleybuc Manangatang at Lalbert.
The Eagles made a flying start to score 5.3 to a point in the first term.
Mallee’s run did not let up as it led 45-10 by half-time.
The Eagles held a 10-goal buffer by the last change.
Tooleybuc Manangatang fired up to score 4.5 to 3.0 in the final term.
At the final siren, Mallee Eagles led 15.5 (95) to 6.10 (46).
The Saints’ attack was led by Josh Williams with three.
Best for Mallee Eagles were Joe Halloran, Zac O’Meara, Brent Macleod, Beau Bennett, Angus McKenzie and Wes Bennett.
Connor McDonald, Shane Foley, Ethan Goldfinch, Josh Williams, Tom Carland and Jaicob Kenny played well for the Saints.
Eight goals by Balranald’s Ben Fuller against Koondrook Barham meant he surged to the lead in the league’s goalkicking race.
The Kangaroos dominated play on their turf at Greenham Park.
Balranald racked up goal tallies of eight, six, 10 and five per quarter for a 29.23 (197) to 4.1 (25) result.
Ben Fuller led the attack on eight goals as Ethan Gant added six.
Other multiple goalkickers for Balranald were Jydon Neagle, five; Matt Neagle, three; Rory Fitzerald, Drew Lloyd, two.
Mitch Christensen kicked two goals for Koondrook Barham.
Best for Balranald were Ethan Gant, Matt Neagle, Ben Fuller, Toby Lay, Harrison Soraggi and Jack Salau.
Reagan Hamilton, Josh McMahon, Chester Gardner, Patrick Goble, Billy Barry and Jack Thrum worked hard for the River Raiders.
Woorinen had the bye.
Central Murray FNL senior footy ladder:
Kerang 219 per cent, 56 points; Balranald 201, 48; Woorinen 182, 40; Lake Boga 117, 32; Nyah Nyah West United 130, 28; Cohuna 112, 28; Swan Hill 94, 28; Mallee Eagles 70, 16; Tyntynder 85, 12; Tooleybuc Manangatang 56, 8; Koondrook Barham 26, 0.
In next Saturday’s round 16 action, Lake Boga takes on Balranald from 2.30pm at Lake Boga Sports Club.
Swan Hill plays Cohuna at Swan Hill Recreation Reserve.
Tooleybuc Manangatang tackles Nyah Nyah West United at Manangatang.
Koondrook Barham and Woorinen clash at Barham.
It’s a bye for Kerang, Mallee Eagles and Tyntynder.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
44 Ben Fuller, Balranald.
41 Josh Williams, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
35 Will Collicoat, Woorinen.
35 Brent Macleod, Mallee Eagles.
33 Hassan Ahmat-Watkins, Nyah Nyah West United.
33 Rhys Free, Cohuna.
29 Bradlee Pay, Kerang.
27 Jydon Neagle, Balranald.
25 Drew Lloyd, Balranald.
25 Rylee Smith, Kerang.
23 Lochie Laing, Lake Boga.
20 Doug Beames, Woorinen.
20 Paul Davis, Mallee Eagles.
19 Jose Miliado, Swan Hill.
18 Danko Bzenic, Woorinen.
18 Jason Eagle, Tyntynder.
18 Ethan Gant, Balranald.
18 David Gourdis, Lake Boga.
17 Hayden Hall, Kerang.
17 Joel Helman, Cohuna.
17 Michael Runciman, Kerang.
15 Charlie Boulton, Nyah Nyah West United.
15 Riley Daniels, Nyah Nyah West United.
15 Angus Monfries, Lake Boga.
14 Jye Barry, Woorinen.
14 Troy Coates, Kerang.
14 Matt Corney, Tyntynder.
14 Jack Donat, Cohuna.
14 Justin Ellis, Tyntynder.
14 Matthew Wade, Swan Hill.