Coleambally have cut a clean swathe through the competition, with a 35-point win over Temora on Saturday completing an eight-game winning streak that includes every opposition.
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The Blues last loss was in round two at Temora but their 0-and-2 start to the season has been consigned to history after they ground out a 13.6 (84) to 7.7 (49) win at home.
But coach Josh Hamilton wants more, declaring it far from convincing.
“It was pretty ordinary at best,” Hamilton said.
“It was scrappy, it wasn’t free-flowing. We were flat as a tack early.”
The Blues led by a goal at quarter-time and opened up a 24-point lead in the second quarter when veteran Nathan Jones kicked his third.
But the Kangaroos weren’t done, clawing their way back to within 10 points midway through the third.
It was mid-season signing Kodie O’Malley who steadied the ship with a crucial goal before three-quarter-time.
In his first senior game for the Blues, he showed a glimpse of what he offers.
“He was good. It’ll take him a couple of weeks to get the hang of it and get used to playing with everyone,” Hamilton said.
O’Malley started at centre-half-back before spending time in the forward line.
“That’s the thing, he can play ruck, full-forward, centre-half-forward, full-back, any key position really.”
But it was Jones starring up forward, finding his fourth and fifth goals early in the final term to put the game away.
He was well-supported by another of the old Coleambally faithful, Jackson Painting, who continued his big season with three goals.
“He’s turned the corner, he was probably the one player that kept us going today,” Hamilton said.
“Against East Wagga (two weeks ago) he was really good and then again last week.”
The coach himself was the Blues best and, after 10 games, is settling in to the league.
“It can always be better,” Hamilton said.
“It took me a bit to adapt, I thought I was really ordinary at the start but I’m getting there, I guess you could say.”
The Blues are also starting to see the best of Drew Kenna after returning from operations on both of his ankles, while Tom Groves and Shaun Light continued their consistent seasons.
Coleambally went in without Wes Kiley (back), Josh Fallon (shoulder) and Corey Saunders (unavailable).
While Temora’s Charlie Vallance failed to make his return from hamstring and back problems.
Liam Pattison, Zac Wiencke and Sam Jensen were the Roos’ best.
