THE Hamilton Kangaroos have put up a competitive effort but fell short of South Warrnambool by 37 points at Melville Oval on Saturday.

The Roos struggled to match the red and white early on but could only manage two behinds in the first term.

South Warrnambool extended its 12-point quarter time lead out to 25 points at the main break, asking plenty of questions of the Hamilton structures across the ground.

The home side would have still felt in the game at the long break and came out in the third term and kicked two majors to win the quarter by two points, but the visitors eventually held on to claim a 9.13 (67) to 4.6 (30) win.

Darcy Russell was the standout up forward for the blue and white, kicking three goals, while Andrew Pepper was the home team’s best player.

Shannon Beks kicked three majors for the Roosters in the win.

Roos coach, Hamish Waldron said conditions made for a more contested type of game.

“It was a scrappy game more than anything, was more windy than anything,” he said.

“We had plenty of the footy, they just used it a bit better than us.

“They had a few players out, but there were a few positives, our boys played a few good patches of footy.”

Luke Uebergang will be assessed after hurting his shoulder with Waldron unsure if he will be fit for Saturday’s game against Cobden.

Reserves

HAMILTON Kangaroos reserves side is still in the hunt for a place in the finals despite losing to South Warrnambool at Melville Oval on Saturday, 7.4 (46) to 8.12 (60).

The Kangaroos now sit in sixth spot, equal on points with Cobden but behind on percentage and they will need to defeat the Bombers next week at Cobden to ensure they play finals.

The Kangaroos held the lead for the first three quarters of the game and should have gone on with the job, but the Roosters were determined to take the points by posting six second half goals to the Roos three.

James Pike, Harry McGinley, Alex Clemens, Tim Cogger, Sean Picken and Allan Martin gave their all for the home side, but the Roosters were able to come home stronger in the final term.

Under-18.5

HAMILTON Kangaroos’ Under-18.5 team has displayed a dominant, disciplined game plan against South Warrnambool at Melville Oval on Saturday as it ran out winners, 11.14 (80) to 1.3 (9) in fine but windy conditions.

In a solid opening stanza, the home side could only manage five shots on goal (2.3), but they held the visitors to only a single behind in taking control of the contest.

From there though it was all Kangaroos as the home side piled on 30mpoints for the second term while holding the Roosters to no additional score as they opened a 44-point margin at the long break which was extended to 71 points by the final siren.

Players had to contend with a gale force wind that caused some shots at goal to be off target but taking that into consideration, the kicking for goal was generally good as Jack Austin, Zac Burgess and William Hunter each bagged a brace of goals. Bailey Cooper, Ethan Knight, Ben Potter, Mason Tooley, William Hunter and Jason Hawker were judged to be the best on ground for the Kangaroos and for the team to finish top two they simply must keep winning.