Coolamon enhances premiership credentials

Coolamon set up the win with a dominant first quarter in which the Hoppers landed six goals to take a 25-point lead to the opening change.

Coolamon coach Matt Hard was delighted with the result and said the Hoppers’ pressure had been a key to the victory.

“It was a good win, any win over Collingullie is very good because they are a quality team,” Hard said.

“Collingullie will definitely be there (finals) when the whips are cracking.

“I thought our pressure was really good and we definitely improved that area from last week.

“I thought we pressured the ball-carrier very well and applied pressure throughout the day.”

The result means Coolamon remains undefeated on top of the ladder with a clear advantage in the race for the minor premiership with five rounds remaining before finals.

Coolamon suffered an early blow in yesterday’s blockbuster with star forward James McKenzie rolling his ankle in a marking contest and leaving the field.

McKenzie played no further part in the game but will be aided in his recovery by the RFL general bye this weekend.

After opening up a healthy lead at quarter time, Coolamon only managed one goal in the second term as CAK hit back with three goals to reduce the margin to just seven points at halftime.

Coolamon came out firing in the third term and the Hoppers drilled home five majors to CAK’s one goal to lead by 30 points at the final change.

The final term was an even affair with CAK managing two goals and Coolamon one major as the Hoppers continued their unbeaten run.

Coolamon forward Mitch O’Brien was a constant danger and he finished with four goals while Ben Fixter was strong all day and won plenty of the ball for the Hoppers.

Running defenders Adam McKenzie and Mitchell Stephenson had a head clash early in the second term but both returned to the field to be key players in Coolamon’s win.

CAK forward Marc Geppert kicked five goals in the losing cause while Ben Absolom and Caleb Vearing were named as the Demons’ best two players.

With a general bye this coming weekend, Coolamon will use the opportunity to recharge and prepare for the last phase of the season before the finals.

“We will do a pool session tomorrow night,” Hard said.

“We have a few sore bodies so we will have a freshen up and do some light work Tuesday and Thursday and then we will give the boys the weekend off.

“We are getting close to the pointy end of the season now and we need to be smart.”