Good things come in threes, they say. So can bad things.
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North Wagga ended their three-game losing streak with a 64-point win against Charles Sturt University on Saturday.
But they were without a bench from the third quarter, with three players injured in the 12.17 (89) to 4.1 (25) victory.
Defender Chad Hamblin (back) was a minor concern.
However, the versatile Sam Longmore won’t be fit for Saturday’s qualifying final against Temora after pulling a hamstring, and forward Nathan Dennis is in doubt with a knee injury.
“It doesn’t look fantastic,” coach Kirk Hamblin.
“Sam definitely won’t be right (next week) and I’m pretty sure Nathan’ll be no good, he was pretty sure. Chad’ll be right.”
It took the gloss off a positive performance for the Saints at McPherson Oval, their first win since mid-July.
On the bright side, Ned Mortimer at centre-half-back was North Wagga’s best and full-back Brayden Skeers is ready to make his long awaited return from a knee injury (PCL), to bolster their defence against the powerful Kangaroos.
“He gives us a few options and we’re looking forward to having his experience back there,” Hamblin said.
The Saints’ defence was more than solid on Saturday, as they kept CSU scoreless in the first quarter.
The Pigs pegged a 26-point margin at quarter-time back to less than three goals at the long break, before the Saints finished over the top with seven goals to one in the second half.
“It really felt like it did at the start of the year, everyone chipped in and played their role which was good,” Hamblin said.
“Our turnovers have been too high and today our disposal efficiency was great. And our forward line pressure was something that’s been questionable and today that was fantastic.
“Those little things, I really wanted to work on and the boys smashed it out of the park so it was good.”
North Wagga might have smashed their total out of the park with some straighter kicking.
Key forward Alex Grozinger finished with 4.4 and Hamblin himself returned 3.3 in his day up forward while Troy Curtis was lively but wayward from a wing.
Cayden Winter and Corey Watt had big games in the middle while for the Bushpigs, Jordan Ackland continued his great finish to the season and Diarmid Cleary and Alex Reilly were strong across half-back.