East Wagga-Kooringal's four-quarter effort impressive in win over Marrar

A week after proving they can dig their way out of a hole (against North Wagga), the Hawks showed it’s even better if you don’t fall into one, building a comfortable 15.13 (103) to 8.9 (57) victory.

“I was happy with it,” EWK coach Gavin McMahon said.

“For the first time, we just competed hard for four quarters instead of for one or two. The scoreboard might not have reflected that but for effort, intensity, tackling and all that sort of stuff, it was really good.”

Seven behinds in the first quarter wasn’t ideal but five straight goals in the second helped the Hawks stretch an 18-point lead out to 34 by half-time.

EWK’s seven goals to Marrar’s five in the second half completed a mature display against a team with plenty to play for after a horror day at The Rock last week. 

And the Bombers were much-improved, led by a superb Brad Turner who switched to full-forward and made the most of plenty of space to kick six goals. 

He was bettered only by Marc Geppert at the other end, who finished with seven, taking his season tally to 65 goals in 11 games.

“Gep played very well,” McMahon said.

“All seven of his goals were varied – from good marks on a lead to contested marking to being in the right place at the right time.

“His form’s been really good the last few weeks. I reckon he’s playing better than last season, even if his goal output isn’t showing it.”

Geppert had 75 goals after 11 games last season but more importantly on Saturday was one of eight goalkickers for the Hawks as they trialled a new-look forward line that would be the envy of any of their rivals. 

Throwing Blake Aichinger into the ruck, EWK were able to play Nick Hull (four goals in a quarter last week) alongside Geppert and regular centre-half-forward Billy Mearns also went deep in a fearsome line-up.

The Hawks had lost James Hodges to a hamstring strain during the warm-up, forcing Kassidy Argus to back up from reserve grade – and play his 150^th and 151^st games for EWK on the same day. 

But Bryce McPherson did all he could to nail down a regular first grade spot, following up his strong game against North Wagga with an “outstanding” performance around the packs to be named the Hawks’ best. 

Apart from Turner, midfielder Josh Hagar impressed for the Bombers as well as defender Clint Taylor, playing on Hull. 

The loss keeps the heat on fifth-placed Marrar but they can control their own destiny with games against the two teams below them – Temora and North Wagga – in the next two weeks.