The Cohuna Kangas journeyed to Greenham Park, Balranald, to challenge the Balranald Kangaroos and vie for advancement in the Central Murray finals series. Mother Nature has intensified the challenge with powerful winds. The match intensity was hard-hitting, pushing off the ball and vocal taunts.
After both sides scored behinds, Cohuna Kangas’ Joel Helman kicked the first goal of the match after he was awarded a 50-metre penalty, placing him directly in front of the goal. The goal began a tirade of scoring for the Cohuna Kangas. Izaac Johnson kicked a goal, vice-captain Daniel Coates played on to kick his first goal, and Riley Hird kicked a goal after being awarded a 50-metre penalty.
By the end of the first quarter, the Cohuna Kangas had a 33-point lead.
The second quarter began with a behind kick for the Cohuna Kangas, kicking towards the clubhouse end. Balranald kicked two behinds before the match was halted.
Balranald’s Jaxon Neagle and Cohuna’s Riley Hird were grappling on the ground before Neagle struck Hird with his right hand, knocking Hird unconscious for a considerable time. An ambulance was called to the venue, and once Hird was tucked away in the ambulance, the match resumed. A penalty kick was awarded to the Kangas, resulting in a goal, while Balranald’s Jaxon Neagle was red-carded.
Under CMFNL Rule 9. h, A red card indicates the player is ordered off for the remainder of the match and can be replaced after 20 minutes of actual match time. With Balranald a player down, Kangas’ Lachlan English, with a kick over his shoulder, added a goal for the Kangas. Balranald’s Matthew Neagle kicked the first goal for the Kangaroos.
Kangas’ coach Jack Geary kicked a goal, followed by Marcus Rogers kicking a behind. Balranald kicked two behinds. Jack Geary kicked his second goal. Geary could have kicked another goal without being awarded a high tackle moments before the siren sounded. By half-time, the Kangas had a 49-point lead.
The third term began with a behind from Kangas, then Balranald kicked two behinds. Next, Harrison Soraggi kicked Balranald’s second goal, which ignited the Roos. Matthew Neagle kicked his second goal, Harrison Soraggi kicked his second goal, and Colin Andrews kicked his first and second goals. Ryan Middlebrook then kicked a goal.
The Kangas responded with a goal that was touched for a behind. Balranald then kicked a behind, followed by another touched behind. Matthew Neagle then kicked his third goal.
The quarter ended with the Kangas celebrating a goal, only to see the umpire signalling a behind, to their disbelief. The Kangas crowd disagreed with the call also. By the end of the third quarter, the Cohuna Kangas were six points in front.
Balranald scored first in the fourth quarter with a behind, followed by a goal from Seth Connell, putting Balranald in the lead. Cohuna had no response. Seth Connell of Balranald kicked two behinds. Balranald played confidently as the Kangas seemed flat. The Kangas scored a behind, followed by a goal from Daniel Coates.
During time-on, Kangas’ Xavier Mitchell kicked a behind. Balranald’s Colin Andrews made a strong mark near the line, played on and kicked a goal, followed by Lachlan Lellmann kicking a goal and Seth Connell kicking a behind.
Balranald won the match by eight points. The win advances Balranald to the first semi-final to be played at Cohuna on Sunday, where they will face Nyah Nyah West United.
Christopher Anderson, Joel Helman, Marcus Rogers, Jack Geary, Jackson Williams and Daniel Coates were named the Kangas’ best. Daniel Coates kicked three goals, Jack Geary and Joel Helman kicked two goals, and Lachlan English, Riley Hird and Izaac Johnson kicked one goal.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 5 September 2024.
