Wagga Tigers issued a reminder of their premiership capabilities with a comprehensive 33-point victory over Coolamon on Sunday.
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Tigers moved back within a game of first position and set up a top of the table showdown with Griffith next week after proving a class above the Hoppers, 11.15 (81) to 7.6 (48) at Kindra Park.
Tigers got on top from the outset, gaining ascendancy in the midfield and moving the ball quickly into a efficient forward line that was constantly dangerous.
Tigers' running game proved far too slick for an out-of-sorts Hoppers, who struggled to move the ball with any real purpose for most of the day.
Aside from a 10 minute period through the middle of the third quarter, it was Tigers' day as they inflicted Coolamon's second loss for the season.
Wagga Tigers coach Troy Maiden was pleased to see his team bounce back after having a fortnight to stew on a loss to Collingullie-Glenfield Park.
"I'm really happy, we showed a bit of character. We had to respond from a couple of weeks ago and it was good," Maiden said.
"I thought we played well enough a couple of weeks ago to win the game, just our kicking for goal was off. So I wanted a real tough response in that first half and that's what we got. I thought it was really good."
Maiden was genuinely pleased to claim a big scalp in Coolamon.
"They are (a good team), they were up and about. I went and watched them last week and I was really impressed," Maiden said.
"I think when we play our best footy, we can compete with anybody but it's a matter of getting more consistent at that. We're a young group and we're learning so we're going to get better.
"I still feel our best footy is a long way in front of us so as long as we keep improving, working hard on how we're trying to play, we're going to get better."
The win unfortunately came at a cost for Tigers, with exciting teenage midfielder Shaun Driscoll suffering a suspected broken arm.
Driscoll had been electric through the midfield up until his injury early in the third term.
Brendy Myers kicked three goals when forward and had a big impact on the game, while Tigers' defence was rock solid.
Coolamon also failed to get through unscathed with Zac Bradley coming off late in the second term with a nasty head wound and Ryan Allen's shin problems returned.
Jeremiah Maslin was also a late withdrawal with a hamstring injury.
Luke Redfern and Hayden Bradley tried hard all day for Coolamon, while Jake Barrett kicked three goals.
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