The 20.8 (128) to 4.3 (27) win was the Jets’ second of the season but it was a low day for Coleambally, who finished with as many reports as goals. 

Northern Jets’ Jade Curtis was reported for rough conduct in the third quarter and Coleambally’s Todd Clark was booked for striking, in the aftermath.

But in the fourth quarter things degenerated. Blues’ forward Jack Painting was reported twice – for using abusive language towards and umpire and for behaving in an abusive manner towards an umpire.

Teammate Josh Veivers was also charged with using abusive language towards an umpire.

The Blues were unhappy with proceedings.

But the Jets hope the game helps launch them into gear in the second half of the season, after making up four points on the ladder on the fifth-placed CSU Bushpigs.

“We’ve been building towards it for two weeks now… so to come away with the win today was good,” coach Mitch Robinson said. 

“It was a good even spread, we didn't go away from our game plan. We’ve got a few big weeks coming up ahead of us (The Rock-Yerong Creek, a bye, East Wagga-Kooringal and then Temora). With only two wins, we’ve got to get some on the board but we feel like we’re starting to learn each other’s game a bit and the Darwin boys were good again and really starting to show us what they’ve got.”

The Blues missed Tom Morton and Joel Crowhurst. Tom Groves, Brayden Scarr and Graham O’Connell, in his first game back from injury, were their best while Carl Pound kicked two goals in his return on a big weekend for the town, celebrating its 50^th birthday. 

Coleambally travel to CSU next week.