Down by almost three goals in the second quarter, Saints had effected a 32-point swing by three-quarter time setting them on course for an impressive 11.12 (78) to 8.10 (58) win.

They had to hang tough against the tide for much of the first half and coach Cayden Winter was rapt in the effort his side showed when called upon at half-time in a fast and furious encounter.

"I thought Marrar were really on top of us in the first half and we gritted our teeth," Winter said.

"We talked about lifting our pressure (at half-time). Our intensity and pressure probably wasn't quite there in the first half. We just had to lift that a little bit and we thought we'd be right in the contest in the third quarter.

"Our pressure acts were right up there and we kicked five goals to two so when it comes down to it that third quarter was the difference in the game."

Apart from a Nathan Dennis point for North Wagga in the opening minutes Marrar led for the first half, with the ability to go more cleanly into their forward line where Dayne Hancock and James Lawton threatened to open up.

The pair shared Marrar's five first half goals but Lawton wasn't getting the space he'd enjoyed in previous weeks with Lachie Johnson sticking tight and North Wagga exerting pressure in the middle.

Saints were helped by a 50 metre free kick and goal to Elliott Winter just before quarter-time (to trail by a point) and lifted at the end of the second quarter with Daniel Jordan and Nathan Dennis converting marks into goals to trail by just three points.

Cayden Winter and Dennis set the tone for the second half and snared the lead after a clearance from the coach set up Dennis for his second. The game opened up, with 13 scoring shots in the quarter.

Both sides missed some vital chances but Josh Campbell made no mistake late with two marks for two goals in the last two minutes of the quarter, to have Saints heading into the last with a 15-point lead.

The first five minutes belonged to the Bombers as a Lawton behind (2.2 for the game) and Hancock's fourth goal narrowed the margin to eight points, only to see Saints storm back. Ben Keith's second goal could've been backed up by a couple more but for misses by KirK Hamblin and Jordan twice.

By this time, Lawton had swung into the ruck and was dropping back and Marrar weren't getting it their own way up forward. From time-on in the third quarter until full-time, they kicked 1.5, while for North Wagga, eventually Jordan nailed his third goal to seal the deal.

Winter said he's pleased with Saints' progression in the first month of football, particularly their ability not to lose their way when the game goes against them.

"I think that we know not to go into our shell when things are getting tough," he said.

"We know how we want to play and we know we can score quick when we do. Obviously teams are going to get on top sometimes but we need to learn not to go into our shell."

In a real team effort, the two Winters led their midfield pressure, ruckman Ky Hanlon had a big game, Jordan was involved and took some good grabs, including one deep in defence in the last quarter as well as pinch-hitting in the ruck, and Josh Thompson had plenty of touches.

The coach was also pleased with the lift Sam Longmore and Xavier Lyons gave his side.

For Marrar, Toby Lawler was right in the game but rued some missed chances, while Hancock (4.1) took some nice marks deep forward and Jack and Harry Reynolds tried to lift their side, including a courageous mark going back for Harry. Sam Emery was also involved.

Full-time:

North Wagga 2.2, 4.6, 9.9, 11.12 (78)

Marrar 2.3, 5.3, 7.6, 8.10 (58)

Goals: (North Wagga) Daniel Jordan 3, Nathan Dennis 2, Josh Campbell 2, Ben Keith 2, Ky Hanlon 1, Elliott Winter 1; (Marrar) Dayne Hancock 4, James Lawton 2, Zach Walgers 1, Toby Lawler 1.

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