THE Hamilton Kangaroos have held off Warrnambool in a thrilling Hampden Football Netball League senior clash to claim their first victory of the season on Saturday.

Accuracy helped the home team throughout the day, as the Blues fell four points short in the round two match to give the home side the points at Melville Oval.

It was a slow start for the Roos, as Jason Rowan looked dangerous early on and slotted multiple goals and provided the deep target, as the visitors went into the first break with a 13-point lead after having a slight wind advantage to start the game.

Changes were made at quarter time with Chris Quinn going to Rowan and Taine Morris moving to Sam Cowling for the second term.

The Kangaroos built into the game and kicked two goals to one in the second quarter, but the Blues generated more scoring shots and if not for better accuracy, the home side could have gone into the main break trailing by more than the eventual nine-point margin.

Kangaroos skipper, Hamish Waldron, would have been happy with the team’s third term, as the Kangaroos grabbed control of the contest and piled on four goals to the Blues’ one, to edge clear on the scoreboard and go into the final change with a nine-point advantage.

The final term was tense with the home side holding off a late charge by Warrnambool to claim a 11.11 (77) to 10.13 (73) win.

Hamish Cook and Waldron each kicked three goals for the Roos, while Darcy Russell was named the standout for the home side.

Aaron Glare and Cook both made their senior debuts with the latter kicking two goals early to give the side a lift.

Waldron said to add those two to the team added a boost of energy with both players holding their own.

“I think his (Cook) first two kicks were two goals and I think his third was a behind,” he said.

“It does add some energy and they always give you a little bit of buzz.

“I told the boys at the start of the season that everyone is probably going to get their opportunity, there is probably seven or eight players who can play seniors and said I will keep moving them around until it works and if they’re not performing, they will go back.”

The Kangaroos’ intensity also lifted and Waldron said the team looked better as the quarters went on.

“We didn’t start the best, but once the quarters got going, we started to play the way we wanted to,” he said.

“To Warrnambool’s credit they started every quarter and jumped us with the first goal, but we fought back.”

The forward line also impressed with Hugh Douglas missing the game, giving Russell a chance to be the big target.

“We had a bit of room in the forward line today, Darcy (Russell) played a little bit higher and took some good marks up there,” he said.

“I thought his game was massive, I am not sure how many contested marks he took, but it would have been right up there.”

With the Kangaroos getting up in their first game in front of a home crowd, the team wants to make Melville Oval a blue and white fortress.

Waldron said it was a clear message to the team and was glad to tick the first one off.

“We love winning at home, I told the boys at the start of the game that every home game we play, we have to tick it off, it has to be a win,” he said.

“We have to make it a fortress here.”

With Portland awaiting the Kangaroos in round three on Anzac Day at Melville Oval, the team’s focus will quickly shift with centre clearance work a key area Waldron identified which needed improvement.