The 10.18 (78) to 6.5 (41) result wasn't the prettiest of wins but maintained the defending premiers’ unbeaten record this season, and avoided a sour start to the club’s 100^th birthday party.

“We didn’t play as well as we have the last three or four weeks (when) we’ve played a pretty good brand of footy. Today it was just a struggle,” Marrar coach Shane Lenon said. 

“But we got the four points and got through unscathed so we’ll take the four points and move on.”

The Bombers dominated proceedings early at Langtry Oval but failed to make the most of it, kicking 12 behinds in the first half (including 1.6 in the second quarter), to restrict their lead to 22 points at half-time. 

Only in the final quarter did they kick more goals than points. Ironically, they were outscored by the Jets’ then, who managed to prevent a 45-point margin at three-quarter-time from blowing right out.

“I knew the Jets would turn up and apply a fair bit of pressure and they certainly did that,” Lenon said.

“We probably kept them in the game a little bit with our finishing, we missed a lot of shots on goal that we should’ve converted, or a lot of opportunities going forward. That’s something we’ve got to get better at but happy to get the four points.”

Jackson Moye and Jason Reid were Marrar’s best while Zach Walgers kicked four goals in the win. There was some concern about a corked calf for forward John Hoey but the Bombers have the luxury of the bye next week before they take on second-placed North Wagga. 

The result leaves the Jets in seventh place, with just one win from their first six games. They were best served by captain Mitch Haddrill and Chris Bell. Youngster Mitch Doyle kicked two goals.