Pressure eases. Pressure rises.
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One first-year coach knows exactly how another is feeling.
Coleambally’s Josh Hamilton was relieved as much as anything else after the Blues produced their second win on the trot, overpowering North Wagga 11.8 (74) to 7.13 (55) at McPherson Oval on Saturday.
And he has some sympathy for his counterpart, Kirk Hamblin, as the Saints come to grips with their fourth loss in five games.
“The pressure is on, especially when you drop off,” Hamilton said.
“I know how he’ll be feeling.”
The Blues had Hamilton feeling the stresses of the job when they lost their first two games of the year – matches they’d anticipated as wins in the pre-season.
But after a good start and a strong finish against North Wagga, he’s feeling a lot more settled five weeks into the season.
“It was great to have a good win today,” he said.
“It’s been our problem, starting, in our first two games then we got a good start against Barellan and again today.”
“We’ve still got a lot of footy ahead of us but it’s released a lot of pressure off us.”
Coleambally kicked the first three goals of the game, including an early double to Brandon Mathews who was one of four key players returning for the Blues, along with Shane Pound, Graham O’Connell and James Fallon.
The sides were evenly matched in the second quarter but shortly after half-time Coleambally got out to a 20-point lead before North Wagga mounted a fightback.
They kicked four goals to one within 10 minutes to draw level, and started the final term only a point behind.
After a tense first eight minutes, Mitch Carroll gave the Blues some breathing space before Mathews and Shaun Light sealed the win.
It capped big games from all three, in particular Hamilton’s predecessor as coach.
“Mitch is brilliant, he gives it his best shot all day,” Hamilton said.
“He’s tough, he never gives in. He can be buggered but he’ll give you another effort.”
Although never behind on the scoreboard, Hamilton said he never felt comfortable about the result until late in the fourth quarter.
“They always had that pressure on us, we didn’t ever feel like we had it under control,” he said.
“North Wagga are a good side but they’ve had a hard start to the year.
“They’re certainly quick and young and moved the ball fairly well but we played to our advantages.
“Their go is to get the ball out and spread and run but we kept it in tight.”
Jake May and Chad Hamblin led the way for North Wagga but the Saints’ cursed luck with injuries continued with Brad McKinnon likely to miss the game at Marrar next week after a head knock.
