The 41-point win at Ardlethan, their fourth of the season, lifted the Jets above CSU on percentage but it wasn't quite as inspiring under close scrutiny.

The Jets flew in the first half, with 20 scoring shots to three, to lead by 57 points at half-time.

But Avis warned that - at the midpoint of the season - they have to learn how to finish a game right off if they want to stay in the five.

"That's pleasing for now but we've got a lot to do. It's going to be close late in the season," Avis said.

"From our point of view, we probably played as good as we have in that first half, playing team-first footy with a lot of handball receives, and supporting the new man on the mark rule.

"But, as young teams do, once we got on top we were happy to coast and went away from what was working for us."

With Matt Wallis (six goals) a target up forward and Stephen Coate chiming in with a crafty three, the Jets were able to make the most of their efforts out of the midfield.

After four goals to one in the first term to take control, they virtually ended the contest with a dominant seven-goal second quarter.

But the Blues played the game right out. Down by more than 10 goals at three-quarter-time, they pegged it back, kicking 6.5 in a strong final term.

Josh Roscarel had a big game on a forward flank and small forward Coate was exceptional taking opportunities early before being rested in the second half.

Nathan Tiyce played well on Jade Hodge despite an early knock while Mitch Haddrill and Sam Fisher kept the ball coming out of the middle.

"The spiel at the end of the game was more out of frustration, knowing how good we can be, and just trying to set that high expectation," Avis said.

"But our guys are young and have years of footy ahead of them so it's all a stepping stone... it's building, we can see the potential, but it's coming in dribs and drabs and we've got to make it click."

Curtis Steele found a lot of footy on his return for Coleambally but they were on the back foot early and weren't in the hunt for a second win in the first half of the season.

Full-time:

Northern Jets 4.4, 11.9, 14.11, 17.11 (113)

Coleambally 1.0, 3.0, 5.1, 11.6 (72)

Goals: (Jets) Matthew Wallis 6, Stephen Coate 3, Mitchell Haddrill 2, Charlie McCormack 2, Nate Doyle 2, Josh Roscarel 1,Harry Morris 1; (Coleambally) Jade Hodge 2, Curtis Steele 2, Theo Valeri 2, Shaun Light 1, Luke Baker 1, James Buchanan 1,Luke Hillier 1, Christopher Hayes 1.

Best: (Jets) Mitchell Haddrill, Matthew Wallis, Nate Doyle, Stephen Coate, Nathan Tiyce, Samuel Fisher; (Coleambally) Curtis Steele, Todd Clark, Shaun Light, Jess Spencer, James Clarke, Thomas Groves.

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