THE Hamilton Kangaroos have broken through to claim their second win of the Hampden Football Netball League (HFNL) season, holding off a determined Terang-Mortlake at Melville Oval on Saturday.

The home side dominated proceedings from the outset, but inaccuracy kept the Bloods in the contest early on.

Despite having eight scoring shots to four, Hamilton led by just four points at the first change.

The visitors started the second term with a flurry, kicking five goals in the first eight minutes at the eastern end of the ground.

The Roos’ inaccuracy continued, kicking more behinds to see the scoreboard read two goals and eight behinds.

At the 27-minute mark of the second term, Terang-Mortlake led by 35 points, despite having the same amount of scoring shots, before a late goal to the blue and white closed the half time deficit to 29 points.

The home side had plenty to think about at the main break and playing-coach, Hamish Waldron, challenged them once again with the team responding with a four-goal third term to close to within eight points at the final change.

With sore bodies across the ground, the game continued to be a contested affair and the crowd found their voice late in the contest to will the home side over the line, 12.18 (90) to 13.6 (84).

Hamish Cook was a solid target up forward, while Vincent Huf kicked two goals in his senior debut, but it was Charles Murrie who set the tone, finding plenty of football to collect the Reunion Medal, selected as the Kangaroos’ best player by the 1981 premiership team, with the team’s 40-year celebration coinciding with the round five clash.

Waldron said the team’s response in the second half was the most pleasing part of the performance, after a lacklustre second term.

“I questioned the boys at half time and they responded which was the best thing, and to still have bad kicking and get away with the win was quite pleasing in the end,” he said.

“We had to change a few things, we went with a few bigger bodies in the middle after half time.

“After half time I felt like we were a lot better in there.

“They (Terang-Mortlake) kicked a couple there late and we just locked on and grinded it out which was pleasing.”

Murrie’s efforts through the midfield also helped set the tone of the game, with the bigger body also posing a threat in the forward line at times as well.

Waldron said it was about maximising his influence to give the team the biggest advantage possible.

“He started as a high half forward and I went to him at quarter time and I told him he was on today,” he said.

“He was touching the footy heaps and so I put him in the midfield and he ended up with 26 or 27 touches and kicked a goal late.”

Hamilton won the clearance battle and he said slight adjustments made a big difference in the way the team was able to enter the forward line.

A focus on work rate and a consistent four-quarter effort was also in mind for the skipper going forward.

“Our first quarters are usually always good, but it is the start of the second quarter where they think the game is going to keep happening, whereas they just have to keep the work rate up,” he said.

With seven players under 20 in the team, Waldron was excited about what the younger players had to offer.

“I thought Bailey Mason played a ripping game down back on William Kain, Hamish Cook stood up well and presented well,” he said.

“It is pleasing to show the young ones coming up can play their roles and they don’t look out of place.”