Cobras down gallant Goon

By Ken Moore
CORA Lynn consolidated second position on the ladder after a hard-fought away-from-home 17-point victory over Nar Nar Goon to retain the Cunningham Cup on Saturday.
The cup has been played for between the neighbouring clubs in recent times.
The result and end margin flattered the Cobras, for the Goon controlled play for long periods, but failed to turn its inside 50-metre entries into goals.
Despite less of the ball, Cora Lynn won because it kicked more accurately and made more right decisions at the crucial times.
Both teams traded three goals apiece in the opening term and the Goon went into the quarter-time break three points to the good, but should have been far more, if not for some wayward kicking.
The Goon displayed the cleaner skills and surer touch in the first quarter and its play-on-at-all-costs game often caught the Cobras napping.
After tall Goon forward Matt Noonan goaled early in the second quarter, Cora Lynn seized the initiative with unanswered majors by Ryan Donaldson, Michael Duiker and two consecutive goals by Shane Dwyer to open up a 14-point advantage mid term.
The Goon then hit back with goals by skipper Clint Williams and Brad Jones to level the scores before Donaldson popped through his second in time-on after he was presented with a handball from Darren Sheen, to put the visitor’s six points in front at half-time.
Cora Lynn used the ball far smarter in the first half and was indebted to Brendan Kimber, through the midfield, and half-back Luke Hughes for its narrow advantage.
The Goon’s competitive first half was largely due to ball magnet Matt Wade, resolute defence from Nathan Jones and hard running by Matt Slattery and Dean Kelly across half back and on the wing.
Captain Clint Williams led by example and played an inspirational second term when a few of his colleagues started to go missing mid term.
Nar Nar Goon peppered the goals in the third quarter and trimmed the margin back to two points after a wonderful goal by Brenton Cowell.
However, while the Goon spent a lot of time with the ball, an opportunist goal by Anthony Giuliano and two more by spearhead Darren Sheen put the visitors in the driver’s seat and 16 points ahead at the main break.
Four minutes into the last quarter, lightly framed Goon forward Brodie Howe produced a wonderful snap on goal under pressure to whittle back the difference to 11 points, but despite repeated attacks by the home side it proved to be the last goal by the boys from the mural town.
Goals midway through and late by underrated Cobra small Anthony Giuliano delivered the knockout punch and condemned Nar Nar Goon to its third loss for the season.
Cora Lynn did not play at a level commensurate with its ability, but still had enough class to win and had the better all-over-the-field evenness.
The Cobras’ best player was Brendan Kimber. The former Narre Warren utility was a driving midfield force all game and the most influential player on the ground with his hard attack on the ball.
Wingman James Bradshaw had a fine second half, Darren Sheen kicked four vital goals and along with Joe Allen, both posed a threatening presence across the forward line. Tim Payne, after struggling to contain Matt Wade early, finished with a strong second half when he was moved into defence.
Anthony Giuliano kicked three crucial second-half goals and Brad Horazcko contested well in the ruck, read the play well and again took a number of marks a kick behind play.
Reigning premiership coach Chris Toner described the game as a terrific contest. “I’m happy to get the points. To win the Cunningham Cup is important to us,” he said.
After manufacturing 30 scoring shots on goal to 22, the Goon did more than enough to win, but due to some poor kicking was left to reflect on what may have been.
The Goon badly missed a crumbing forward to replace young gun Josh Hodson, who is unlikely to play again this season after breaking his collarbone last week.
Coach Clint Williams gave his team a springboard into attack all game, Matt Wade won possessions all over the field and Brad and Chris Jones presented well all game.
Youngsters Brodie Howe, Matt Slattery and Adam Marchant all did some nice things and have a bright future, while Tom Hallinan kept a tight watch on star Cobra forward Ryan Donaldson.
A disappointed Nar Nar Goon coach Clint Williams said they had enough opportunities to win, but struggled to make them count.
“I thought our backline was super and rebounded the ball well,” he said.
Nar Nar Goon is now two games behind second-placed Cora Lynn and finds itself with quite a bit of work ahead to get a double-chance position this season.
In the short history of the Cunningham Cup, the two teams have now played on nine occasions and despite the loss the Goon still holds the upper hand with five victories to four.