But the other two quarters raised a few questions at Langtry Oval as the Bombers’ claimed a less-than-perfect 25-point victory over the Bushpigs on Saturday. 

Marrar were never behind, and set up their 16.10 (106) to 12.9 (81) win by kicking the first five goals of the game while keeping CSU scoreless.

But spirited fightbacks from the visitors in the second quarter and late in the game saw the margin swing wildly.

The Bombers’ 34-point lead just after quarter-time was whittled back to nine points not long before half-time. At three-quarter-time the advantage was a massive 57 points before they were outscored six goals to one in the final term, knocking more than a little gloss off the win. 

“The second quarter was just a bit of a battle (but) the last quarter was disappointing,” Lenon said. 

“I reckon we just put the cue in the rack. We talked about finishing the game off strong and keeping our work rate at a high level. But we certainly stopped in the last quarter and because we did that it allowed the opposition to get a bit of a run on.

“They kicked goals and some of their goals were easy goals. Our last quarter was pretty disappointing, to be honest.”

Lenon said his frustration with their late fade was nothing to do with next week’s big game at Temora, but purely about finding consistency. 

“No, it’s about what we did today really, not next week,” he said.

But for two quarters of disappointment, there were two quarters of excitement. 

And last week’s loss to North Wagga meant there was satisfaction in the way they replied, getting on top early to kick 5.4.34 before CSU kicked a point. 

“That was pleasing,” Lenon said 

“And our third quarter was pleasing too because that was something we talked about during the week – our third quarter against North Wagga we were completely outplayed. 

“So the way we responded was a positive but our last quarter put a bit of a dampener on the win, really.”

It was late in the first quarter that Marrar got on top before CSU dominated much of the second. Coach Pat Noonan –  resorting to a playing coach role to help cover absentees in uni holidays – kicked the goal that brought them back to nine points down.

But Zach Walgers produced two very important goals for Marrar, against the CSU momentum, to stem the bleeding.

In the third quarter, the Bombers were ruthless, getting on top in the middle and finishing off up front. Jason Reid kicked four of their eight goals in the term, on his way to five for the match. 

It could have got out of hand for CSU but they regained their composure and recovered some confidence as a near-10-goal deficit was brought back to four by full-time.

Walgers, who finished with three goals, was superb for the Bombers while Clint Taylor’s return was noticeable as he produced a fine game in defence. 

Teen Zac Lewis also made a strong impression on debut while Jackson Moye had some important touches when the game was in the balance and a couple of good goals. 

CSU missed their two key midfielders Rob Herzfeld and Louis Miller but had plenty of admirable performers. Zac McDonald had a great game up forward and kicked three goals. Assistant coach Brayden Ambler was excellent through the middle while Diarmid Cleary, Will Thorp and Max Hanrahan dug in all day and Jack Thompson had a superb second quarter when they needed to find a way back into the game.

The Bushpigs remain fifth and are assured four points with the bye next week. 

Marrar remain second, behind North Wagga only on percentage.