Goannas consolidate place on ladder
Playing with a strong wind blowing towards the Wagga end of the ground, MCUE led all day and then held off a determined Griffith outfit in a tense last-quarter to prevail 72 to 61 winner.
The result means MCUE snapped a two-game losing streak and leaves the Goannas in fifth position on the ladder at the halfway mark of the season.
It also was Griffith’s fifth consecutive loss and leaves the Swans needing a big second half of the season to qualify for the finals.
MCUE coach Nathon Irvin was satisfied with the win but admitted the Goannas have plenty of room for improvement.
“It was good to get the win but it was an ugly game,” Irvin said.
“We have had a good start to the season but we still have plenty of work to do.”
MCUE ruckman Andrew Dickins was excellent in the win as were midfielders James Creasy and Guy Ward.
Dickins won the hit-outs and was a tower of strength all game while Creasy and Ward racked up plenty of possessions and kept MCUE moving forward.
Reece Cohalan, Dean Ward and Isaac Damme all kicked two goals for MCUE and were lively up forward.
Ryan Price spent time on the ball for MCUE and he also won plenty of possessions and was clean all day for the Goannas.
MCUE lost its captain Trent Cohalan early in the second quarter with a torn hamstring.
Cohalan was doing a tagging job on Griffith captain-coach Guy Orton before suffering the hamstring injury.
MCUE has the bye next weekend but Cohalan is expected to miss the next month due to the injury.
Che Jenkins and Dean Crack were the best two players for Griffith today.
