The Hoppers stayed in the race for the minor premiership with a fourth straight victory, proving too good for the Bulldogs 17.10 (112) to 12.10 (82) in an entertaining contest at Maher Oval.

Coolamon kicked the first five goals after the half-time break to set up a match-winning break over the Bulldogs.

Turvey Park took it up to the Hoppers from the outset and when Brad Ashcroft kicked his third goal of the second quarter, the Bulldogs moved 16 points clear.

Coolamon got two late goals to narrow the margin to three points at half-time, before BJ Glyde and Jeremiah Maslin combined to kick the only three goals of a mistake-riddled third quarter and send the Hoppers 17 points clear.

Coolamon then kicked the first two goals of the final term to seal victory, but that did not stop the young Bulldogs from trying, and they could have still made things interesting late if not for some missed shots on goal.

Coolamon co-coach Jamie Maddox said the win certainly came hard earned.

"It was a good win in the end," Maddox said.

"We knew coming in it was going to be a battle, it was going to take a four-quarter effort and it did. To Turvey's credit they played some good footy and really stuck it to us.

"It was good to come away with the points in the end."

Maddox believes the Hoppers used the football a lot better in the second half, which helped them get on top.

"We were a bit more composed with the footy," he said.

"We didn't blaze away as much as we did early on. We were composed...we steadied a bit in the end and kicked a few more goals."

Nick Pleming led the way for Coolamon. He won plenty of the football through the midfield and was a shining light, even when things weren't going the Hoppers way.

BJ Glyde sparked Coolamon with four goals, as well as setting up another, while Maslin also finished with four but came off early in the last quarter with cramps.

Josh Buchanan shone in defence, often standing tall for Coolamon, while Jake Barrett also had plenty of the football.

Nathan Byrne was outstanding for Turvey Park and would have battled for best-on-ground honours despite playing in a losing team.

Jeremy Sykes was not far behind him, while Matt Bailey and Brad Ashcroft (four goals) were also strong contributors for the Bulldogs.

Unfortunately for Turvey Park, they lost Luke Cuthbert late in the contest with a serious knee injury.

Maddox said Coolamon will take confidence from the performance going into next Saturday's showdown with second-placed Griffith at Kindra Park.

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