HAMILTON Kangaroos are off the bottom of the ladder after upsetting Camperdown in a fighting comeback by just four points to win their first game of the 2023 season.

Despite the Magpies kicking the final two goals of the game to bring the margin to back under a kick, Hamilton’s second-half dominance was enough to prevail as the Roos won 13.4 (82) to 10.18 (78).

A five-goal haul from young gun, Hamish Cook led the way for the visitors who scored very efficiently in front of the big sticks, kicking 13.4 which was ultimately the difference in the thrilling win.

Cook has had a significant impact for the side this year with 18 goals, his ability to create a contest and bring the ball to ground has been crucial to the forward line.

The result handed Camperdown back-to-back losses, but it still remains in fourth position on the ladder while the Roos jumped off the bottom to go ahead of Portland.

Leura Oval was home to the clash as the first quarter saw a tight tussle with the Roos just getting the better of their opponents to control the ball.

The Kangaroos kicked 4.1 (25) to Camperdown 3.3 (21), taking a four-point lead into the first break, before the Magpies came out in the second quarter and dominated play.

The home side kicked 5.7 to no score lifting the half-time deficit to 33 points, as Sam Gordon emerged as the focal point for the Magpies kicking almost all of the team’s score.

Camperdown went to him frequently when going inside 50 and it was working, as Hamilton defenders tried to drift across and get the outnumber.

It was at the main break that Hamish Waldron’s men needed to regroup and dig deep to find something within, and that’s what they did.

The third quarter belonged to Hamilton as Camperdown essentially kicked itself out of the game, failing to convert in front of goal to go goalless in the premiership quarter.

The Hamilton forward line was dangerous as Luke Uebergang (three goals) and Darcy Russell (two goals) hit the scoreboard, kicking truly to turn the game around with 5.1 (31) for the quarter and bring the margin back to just seven points going into the last.

The final quarter was a tussle as the Kangaroos hit the front before the Magpies fought back, but it was the blue and white who held onto victory by four points at the final siren.

The win was the end of an eight-game losing streak for the Hamilton Kangaroos and the side hoped the win would be a sign of things to come.

Cook was named Hamilton’s best player, other strong performers included Deacon White, Cam Pither, Will Povey, Ethan Knight and Bailey Baker.

Charlie Alexander, Lachie Urquhart and Zach Burgess all got on the scoreboard with a goal each.

Hamilton coach, Hamish Waldron was impressed with the way the side fought back to grind out its first win of the season.

“The boys have been putting in a lot of work and it gives the boys a bit of belief for the rest of the season … (the win was) a little bit of reward for effort,” Waldron told The Spectator.

“The biggest thing is belief when you have a young playing group, I still reckon we can win a few games in the last half of the season.”

Waldron said the side needed a bit of a reality check at half time if it was any chance of changing its fortune in the second half.

“I questioned them at half time in the rooms and got into a few of the older ones, it wasn’t the young guys letting us down out there,” he said.

“I challenged them to turn it around in the second half … we sort of put ourselves in that position but for our young side to dig ourselves out of that hole was really pleasing.”

Pither was among the best players and had a strong impact on the game in the second half moving out of defence, while Baker was also given a role.

“I moved him (Pither) onto the wing in the second half and he probably did change the game a bit for us, he makes good decisions,” Waldron said.

“Bailey Baker played in a bit of a tagging role on a few players throughout the day and for a 17-year-old kid, he was outstanding … the young ones all played well.”

The coach said that young Cook was “outstanding” as he booted five majors for the day and forced the opposition to make changes while Uebergang kicked also kicked some clutch goals for the Roos.

Jack Hickey was the only injury from the game with a concussion.