North Wagga bounce back with big win to hand Coleambally their third straight loss

Desperate for a breakthrough at home, the Blues hosted a Saints outfit hell-bent on avoiding back to back defeats themselves. And the injection of Josh Campbell up forward proved a North Wagga masterstroke, as he and Nathan Dennis kicked five goals each in a three-pronged attack with Daniel Jordan.

The 84-point win was set up early as North Wagga kicked 6.1 in the first quarter to lead by 31 points.

If it wasn't in the bag already, another six goals-to-one in the third term sealed it for certain with the margin out to 66 points by the last change.

The result piles the pressure on Coleambally who had every reason to turn up, including the opening of their new change room facilities. But, expected to be genuine contenders this season, the Blues are winless after three rounds, and averaging 99 points against them.

In contrast, it was just what the Saints needed, after they slipped up against East Wagga-Kooringal.

"I was really rapt with how we played," North Wagga coach Cayden Winter said.

"We focussed during the week on getting a fast start, we thought it would hold us in good stead and that's what the boys did really well.

"Our training during the week and our preparation was really good and it showed as soon as we started. Our hunger for the footy and our spread was really good."

North Wagga focussed on a consistent effort across four quarters after their momentum ebbed and flowed last week.

While backman Tom Morton was very strong in his first game of the season for Coleambally, and key forward Jade Hodge kicked three of their five goals, North Wagga's forward set-up benefitted from Campbell's return.

"He gives us a bit of hardness around the footy at centre-half-forward and he brings a big presence crashing packs. He was definitely our best today," Winter said.

Lachie Johnson and Luke Mauger continued their good seasons as North Wagga wind up for a big home game against Marrar next week.

Full-time

North Wagga 6.1, 8.3, 14.5, 19.7 (121)

Coleambally 1.0, 2.2, 3.5, 5.7 (37)

Goals: (North Wagga) Josh Campbell 5, Nathan Dennis 5, Cayden Winter 2, Daniel Jordan 2, Benjamin Keith 1, Josh Thompson 1,Bailey Clark 1, Sam Longmore 1, Luke Mauger 1; (Coleambally) Jade Hodge 3, Curtis Steele 1, Theo Valeri 1

Best: (North Wagga ) Josh Campbell, Nathan Dennis, Cayden Winter, Josh Thompson, Lachlan Johnson, Luke Mauger; (Coleambally) Thomas Morton, Curtis Steele, Darcy Mader, Luke Hillier, Jade Hodge, James Buchanan.

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