Brad Turner showed why he’s one of the most dangerous players in the league on Saturday, returning from injury to kick 10 goals at Gumly Oval, as Marrar continued on their merry way.
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A convincing 21.15 (141) to 12.6 (78) over East Wagga-Kooringal means the Bombers remain unbeaten under Shane Lenon, while the defending premiers have now lost four on the trot.
The Hawks again sprang a late surprise with experienced trio James Hodges, Nathan Scott and Brenton Roberts coming in from outside the named squad.
But it was to little avail against the competition leaders who turned in a performance that will only see them wound in tighter as the competition favourites.
“I'd say it’s our most even performance as a team, we had a contribution from most blokes so it was a really good team effort that way,” Lenon said.
The Bombers soon put paid to fears of a hangover after their Gold Cup bye. A two-goal lead at quarter-time was out to 36 points at the main break, and more than 50 by three-quarter time.
And, despite kicking 4.11 in the last quarter, the visitors finished 63-point winners.
“Our pressure when we didn’t have the footy, that was the most pleasing part,” Lenon said. “Defensive pressure, our tackling and our ability to win the ball back.”
Turner made the most of that to enjoy a rare double-figure haul in a commanding display up forward.
“He played a brilliant game, he’s a bit of freak,” Lenon said.
“He’s hard to contain when you’re getting the ball into him the right way and we’re lucky to have a bloke like that.”
Clint and Mitch Taylor also had big games for the Bombers, while EWK were best-served by captain Ben Absolum and Brocke Argus, who finished with six goals after going forward late.
Marrar’s Chris O’Donnell dislocated a shoulder but the Bombers hope the fact that it went straight back in, and next week’s bye, will limit his time off. While defender Geoff Spriggs is still carrying a calf concern.
