After an even first half, the Hoppers opened up the game in the second half and ran riot, running out winners 12.14 (86) to 8.8 (56) at Mangoplah Sportsground.

For the second consecutive week, MCUE matched it with their more-fancied opponents for a half but could not sustain it for any longer.

The Hoppers were much better at the contest in the second half and then opened the Goannas up on the outside.

Luke Redfern was brilliant for Coolamon, with his speed and run providing the Hoppers with spark across the ground, while Jake Barrett was also a constant threat.

Jeremiah Maslin kicked four goals and proved a handful in attack. He kicked a couple of brilliant goals and was dangerous throughout the day.

That gives the Hoppers two wins over top five teams from last year to start the new season and Coolamon co-coach Jamie Maddox is happy with the way things have begun.

"That's right. Two wins, we'll take the two wins, especially Ganmain and then Mango at home," Maddox said.

"It's always a good win so we'll definitely take them."

MCUE kicked the first two goals of the game to lead early, and then managed the last two before half-time to level the scores.

The Hoppers then kicked four goals to none in the third quarter to steal a match-winning buffer.

"It was a really good second half," Maddox said.

"It was a really even contest until half-time so it was good, we got our pressure going in the second half and got us winning the footy a little bit."

Maddox was happy with some of the passages of play from his team where they moved it the length of the ground and kicked goals.

"We did. There were some really good patches there," he said.

"It was very scrappy early on but once we broke it open, I thought we tried to play the footy we've been practising."

Redfern was the Hoppers best, while Barrett, Maslin and Josh Buchanan were all influential in the win.

For MCUE, Pat Killalea and Tim Smith were among those to stand out.

The Goannas picked up an injury concern with James Scott unable to finish the game, while coach Jeremy Rowe also spent large portions of the second half on the sideline.

That was MCUE's third straight loss to start the year and the Goannas now have their backs against the wall ahead of a must-win game against Leeton-Whitton.

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