Temora have set the scene for an enticing showdown against North Wagga at Nixon Park next week, after overpowering The Rock-Yerong Creek by 42 points there on Saturday.
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The Kangaroos took control in the first quarter at Nixon Park, and refused to relinquish it, with Matt Wallis (eight goals) leading the way with a masterful performance, while Brad Aiken kicked six goals in his first game with the Magpies.
The 19.13 (127) to 13.7 (85) win was Temora’s fifth on the trot since losing to Marrar in round one, and they’ll aim to make it six straight next week, in their second-versus-third clash with the Saints.
“North Wagga will be massive,” Temora coach Jake Wooden said.
“I said to the boys after the game, it was an ugly win. We haven't hit our straps yet, but we’re still winning games and I guess that’s the main thing. But we’ve got to keep improving, keep building and keep chipping away.”
Wooden said they’ll be without forward Mark Breust and midfielder Tim McAuley (both unavailable) while Luke Gerhard is also uncertain. Neither Gerhard (groin) nor McAuley (finger) played on Saturday, adding merit to the win against TRYC.
Key forward Matt Wallis overcame a midweek illness to produce a powerful performance, including a dominant first quarter when he kicked four goals.
That helped Temora take control despite Aiken making an immediate impact on his return to the Farrer League.
He kicked a goal on the run with his first touch and his second and third, late in the first quarter and the second, kept the Magpies within four goals at both breaks, despite the Roos threatening to get away.
They led by 34 points midway through the second quarter but it wasn’t until the last term that they were able to kick away again, although Wooden wasn’t flattering in his assessment.
“I thought our skill level was pretty terrible. That was probably the worst we’ve shown this year, so that’s something to work on,” he said. “We always do enough but we’re not putting teams away.”
TRYC moved the ball well out of defence at times, to continually stay in touch. But Temora’s tall options of Wallis and Breust were too hard to handle.
“Wally and Mark, they work well together,” Wooden said. “They’re always talking and communicating. And Wally was crook this week, so he’s done extremely well to get up and play. He was sick on Thursday night and he’s gone straight home after the game.”
Youngsters Lachy Leary, Will Reinhold and Max Harper also continue to shine.
“Lachy really stood up for us, it was an improvement in his game,” Wooden said. “And Max, gee he does a power of running, and all those little thing we talk about. And Will had another good game so the young boys really stood up well.”
Aiken, Jim Carroll and Daniel Steele were the pick of the Pies, who return home next week to take on CSU, who have jumped them on the ladder and taken fifth spot.