IT was another tough Hampden Football Netball League outing for the Hamilton Kangaroos, hosting the North Warrnambool Eagles and falling to the visitors by 70 points on Saturday.

The Eagles burst out of the gates, kicking four straight goals, while inaccuracy from the Roos saw the scoreboard show 1.4 at the first break to trail by 14 points.

It was a see-sawing start to the second term with neither team able to do any significant scoreboard damage.

The visitors found some space in the midway point of the quarter and Jack Burke proved to be a strong target, as his team finished with three second-quarter goals.

The North Warrnambool small forwards caused some headaches at the feet of their tall teammates and the Kangaroos struggled to match the effort at the other end, scoring one goal to go into half time trailing by 34 points.

The half time break came at a good time for the home team, which could get back into the contest if they created more scoring chances.

Hamilton players got a chance to make some changes at the main break, and almost matched the Eagles in the third term, kicking two goals to three, while the visitors looked comfortable with a 43-point advantage at the final break.

With the result all but confirmed, the Kangaroos needed to finish strong, but the Eagles continued their dominance to claim a 14.24 (108) to 5.8 (38).

Hamish Cook was the home team’s only multiple goal kicker with two, while Brady Hicks was the Roos’ best ahead of Charles Murrie and Bailey Mason.

Kangaroos coach, Hamish Waldron said the team was outclassed by a stronger opponent on the day.

“They played well, we started alright and we just didn’t go on with it,” he said.

“We got smashed in the middle, we usually pride ourselves on clearances and they had the upper hand throughout the game.

“I questioned them at half time, but they (Eagles) were just too good for us.”

The Eagles were without Nathan Vardy and Dylan Parish in the forward line, but Burke bagged six goals, along with a raft of other smalls who caused havoc.

Waldron said it was hard to match-up on the crafty forwards at ground level.

“Their smalls played really well, Jarryd Lewis was a standout,” he said.

“It was just their ball movement, their foot skills were good and that is what hurts you.”

It was familiar faces again who led the way for the Kangaroos, with the skipper setting the example.

“Brady Hicks was probably our best player, but the boys didn’t stop trying all day,” Waldron said.

“The boys had a couple of close results and it hadn’t gone our way, I could see they were a bit drained and were thinking ‘here we go again’.

“It would have been nice if the other results went our way and we went into the game with more confidence.”

Reserves

THE Kangaroos got on the winners list earlier in the day, accounting for North Warrnambool Eagles, 7.11 (53) to 4.10 (34).

A 12-point half time margin was extended in the second half to see the home team to victory.

Jordy Anthony and Hugh Douglas each kicked two majors, while Dave Arnold was the Roos’ best player.

Under-18.5

HAMILTON has moved up to second spot on the ladder, displacing the Eagles after the home team won, by six points.

The Eagles kicked four goals to one in the opening quarter, before the home team worked back into the game and went into the main break trailing by just five points.

A dominant second half, along with inaccuracy from the visitors saw the blue and white claim victory.