It might not have been their prettiest win of the year, but it did not bother coach Matt Hard as the Hoppers prevailed, 18.12 (120) to 13.8 (86) at Narrandera Sportsground.

Coolamon were forced to make eight changes to the team that upset Wagga Tigers last week, as injuries and unavailability decimated the Hoppers’ list.

“Especially when your seconds and 17s are both on the bottom, when you make eight changes you have just got to get a win, find a way to win and we did that,” Hard said.

“Narrandera fought really well, they were good.”

Narrandera led narrowly at quarter-time, before the Hoppers produced a seven-goal second term to gain control.

Coolamon captain Jamie Maddox was best-on-ground, while Marshal Macauley, Mitch McKelvie and Luke Redfern all played starring roles in the win.

Narrandera coach Jarred Lane worked hard at centre-half-back, while the evergreen Stu Hutchins also impressed for Narrandera.

The Hoppers now sit two points above Wagga Tigers with three games to go and face Turvey Park, Leeton-Whitton and Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong to finish the year.