BY NATHAN DOLE
KERANG’S unbeaten run kept rolling after a hard-fought eight point victory on Balranald’s turf in Saturday’s 17th round of senior footy in the Central Murray FNL season.
The Blues and Kangaroos played out a great match in the Radio 3SH-backed competition at Balranald’s Greenham Park.
At quarter-time it was the Roos who led 20-13 and they scored 4.2 to 5.1 in the second for a 46-44 lead at the main break.
Kerang lifted its play to win the vital third quarter, 28-13.
A highly entertaining final term went the Roos’ way, 27-22, but it was Kerang which held on for a 94-86 victory.
The Blues’ attack was led by Rylee Smith, four; Caleb Nitschke, three; Hayden Hall and Nic Lang on two.
Ben Fuller booted three goals for Balranald as Colin Andrews, Ethan Gant, Drew Lloyd and Matt Neagle added two each.
Best for the Troy Coates-coached Kerang were ruckman Nic Lang, Rylee Smith, Josh Nitschke, Jesse Clark, Ryan Gillingham and Hayden Hall.
Balranald’s best were Colin Andrews, Jaxon Neagle, Kobe and Drew Lloyd, Ethan Gant and Harrison Soraggi.
Despite its inaccuracy, Woorinen marked a 32-point win at home against Lake Boga.
The Lake Boga line-up led 19-15 at quarter-time, but Woorinen dominated most of the second term to score 3.7 to 1.2.
Across the second half the Tigers scored 8.13 as the Magpies added 6.6.
Lachlan Gardner kicked a team-high five goals in a 101-69 result for Woorinen.
Lake Boga’s attack was led by Matt Taverna, four; and Dustin Burns, two.
Best afield honours went to Lachlan Warburton as Dylan Godwin, Lachlan Gardner, Danko Bzenic, Doug Beames and Mitchell Uhlhorn were among Woorinen’s best.
Nathaniel Holmes-Brown, Dustin Burns, Tyle Williams, Marty Parsons, Matt Taverna and Jayden Lonergan played well for Lake Boga.
Swan Hill defeated Tyntynder by 27 points at Swan Hill’s Alan Garden Reserve.
The Swans led 23-14 at quarter-time and 45-34 by half-time.
A seven-goal haul by Zach Mihocek capped a 94-67 win for the Swans.
Tyntynder’s attack was led by Jason Eagle on four.
Best for Swan Hill were Zach Mihoeck, ruckman Toby Thoolen, Matt Wade, Lachlan Vrolijks, Tom Holdstock and Xavier Moloney.
Roy George, Josh Stone, Zac Denham, Cayden Crowe, Jason Eagle and Sam Bull were best for the Bulldogs.
Nyah Nyah West United dominated its clash with Mallee Eagles on Nyah’s turf.
The Eagles led 15-8 at quarter-time, but from there it was the red-hot Demons who took charge.
NNWU scoreed 7.1 to 1.3 in the second and then slammed on eight goals in the third for a 55-point lead at a quarter to play.
Goalkicking accuracy was superb as the Demons finished on 23.6 (144) to 8.11 (59).
Leading goalkickers were Hassan Ahmat-Watkins, seven; Ethan Curran, Ethan Saville, Jarrod Stokes, Joseph Violi and Joel Walsh, two.
The Eagles’ attack was led by Shaun Harrison and Brent Macleod on three.
Best for the Demons were Campbell Everitt, Ethan Saville, Kayne Davidson, Ethan Curran, Zack Threadgold and Hassan Ahmat-Watkins.
Harrison Allen, Brent Macleod, Harry McGregor, Beau Bennett, Billy O’Meara and Angus McKenzie worked hard for the Eagles.
Cohuna Kangas marked a 113-point win at home against Tooleybuc-Manangatang.
The Tyson Findlay-coached Cohuna played a brilliant opening half to score 15.11 to 3.3.
Rhys Free was in superb touch as he went on to kick a match-high nine goals and be best on ground in a 153-40 victory for the Kangas.
Daniel Coates kicked four goals for Cohuna as Dylan Johnstone added three and Jack Donat chipped in with two.
The Saints’ attack was led by Josh Williams with four.
Best for Cohuna were Rhys Free, Jack Donat, Daniel Coates, Daniel Paterson, Will Thrum and Jarrod Findlay.
Blake Grant, Harrison Maher, Connor McDonald, Ryan Domaille, Josh Williams and Sam Morton were Tooleybuc-Manangatang’s best.
Koondrook Barham had the bye.
Central Murray FNL senior footy ladder:
Kerang 205 per cent, 60 points; Woorinen 198, 48; Balranald 179, 48; Nyah Nyah West United 137, 36; Lake Boga 112, 36; Swan Hill 98, 36; Cohuna 121, 32; Mallee Eagles 67, 16; Tyntynder 84, 12; Tooleybuc Manangatang 53, 8; Koondrook Barham 25, 0.
The 18th and final round in the home and away series will be played next Saturday from 2.30pm.
Kerang meets Woorinen in the clash of Blues and Tigers at Kerang’s Riverside Park.
Swan Hill takes on Balranald at Swan Hill Recreation Reserve.
Mallee Eagles tackle Cohuna Kangas at Lalbert.
Lake Boga plays Koondrook Barham at Lake Boga Sports Club.
Tooleybuc Manngatang faces Tyntynder in the clash of the Saints and Bulldogs at Manangatang.
Nyah Nyah West United has the bye.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
50 Ben Fuller, Balranald.
47 Josh Williams, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
45 Rhys Free, Cohuna.
40 Hassan Ahmat-Watkins, Nyah Nyah West United.
40 Will Collicoat, Woorinen.
38 Brent Macleod, Mallee Eagles.
29 Bradlee Pay, Kerang.
29 Rylee Smith, Kerang.
28 Jydon Neagle, Balranald.
27 Drew Lloyd, Balranald.
24 Lochie Laing, Lake Boga.
22 Jason Eagle, Tyntynder.
22 Jose Miliado, Swan Hill.
21 Danko Bzenic, Woorinen.
21 Ethan Gant, Balranald.
20 Doug Beames, Woorinen.
20 Paul Davis, Mallee Eagles.
19 Zach Mihocek, Swan Hill.
18 Daniel Coates, Cohuna.
18 David Gourdis, Lake Boga.
18 Joel Helman, Cohuna.
18 Michael Runciman, Kerang.
17 Charlie Boulton, Nyah Nyah West United.
17 Jack Donat, Cohuna.
17 Hayden Hall, Kerang.
17 Angus Monfries, Lake Boga.
16 Riley Daniels, Nyah Nyah West United.
16 Matthew Wade, Swan Hill.
15 Dylan Johnstone, Cohuna.
15 Jayden Lonergan, Lake Boga.
15 Matt Neagle, Balranald.
14 Jye Barry, Woorinen.
14 Troy Coates, Kerang.
14 Luke Conca, Cohuna.
14 Seth Connell, Balranald.
14 Matt Corney, Tyntynder.
14 Justin Ellis, Tyntynder.
14 Lachlan Gardner, Woorinen.