AN eight-goal second quarter ensured Temora shut down the risk of an upset from Coleambally at Nixon Park on Saturday.
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The Kangaroos went from a goal down at quarter-time to 40 points clear by half-time on the way to a 14.11 (95) to 8.6 (54) win.
In the absence of coach Jake Wooden, assistant Luke Gerhard shared the duties with their bench man Jimmy Durham and was pleased with the way his side started.
"There was a pretty strong breeze and you'd say the second quarter won it but it was also our effort in the first to keep them to 2.3 that really helped," Gerhard said.
"It was a danger game for us. It was a bit of an unknown and they came in and really gave it to us, so we were pretty happy to get the win."
Curtis Steele's two goals gave the Blues an early advantage but the Roos made sure the visitors didn't get right on top, before doing exactly that in a damaging second half.
Forward Matt Harpley helped them take control with two goals just after quarter time, on his way to five for the game.
"He played pretty well. It's good for him to keep getting some confidence back and five goals (after four against CSU in round one) helps. He kicked a couple from contested marks and couple of from free kicks from being in front. It was good," Gerhard said.
The second half was an even contest, with both sides having two and three goal quarters to finish off.
Gerhard said the Roos were pleased with the performance of their young midfield led by Will Reinhold and Rob Krause.
"We had a really young looking midfield with Will - he really stepped up - and Robbie Krause, Tim Hol, Colby Poole, Isaac Reardon.
"That was a real positive because they have (Coleambally) have got some good quality players, like Curtis Steele and Tom Groves in the middle.
"Their pressure around the ground kept it tight in the second half. To their credit they battled hard and kept coming all day."
Steele kicked three goals and Groves twof while the Blues were also well served by youngster Chris Hayes and Charlie McAdam on a wing was dangerous.
The win means Temora, along with East Wagga-Kooringal, remain unbeaten after three rounds, with two wins and a bye.
Gerhard, with a perfect coaching record of one from one, said he'll be more than happy to hand the reins back to Wooden for Temora's road trip to The Rock next week.
Coleambally will enjoy a week off with the bye, and another four points to add to their one-and-two start to the season.
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