HAMILTON Kangaroos will be searching for their third win of the year in the senior football when they host Cobden at Hawkesdale Recreation Reserve today in round 10 of the Hampden Football Netball League (HFNL).

Despite putting together some promising football in the first half of the season, the Kangaroos took a step back with the disappointing loss to Warrnambool but will be out to bounce back.

When Hamilton is playing its best footy, the intensity and pressure around the ball is up and this is the sort of play they need to sustain for four quarters– being first to the ball and tackling in numbers.

The side has shown it can match it with the best and searching for consistency within this game plan will be of key importance.

In a huge boost for the scoring power of the team, key forward Darcy Russell will make his return from injury today.

Lachie Urquhart and Jake Donehue will also come into the side for the Bombers clash, while James Whyte (unavailable), Bailey Baker (broken finger) will go out - Kyle Rhook will go back to the Under-18s to ply his trade.

Senior coach, Brad Thomas said the side was feeling refreshed after the bye and was excited to host Cobden out at Hawkesdale.

“It’s been good to have a bit of a break, we had a few sore bodies, it’s been good to reset and go again,” he said.

“I feel like they (Cobden) are a very contested team, and we like a bit of contested stuff too.”

Thomas said he felt the side had come a long way since they took on Cobden in round one and looked to bring a competitive brand of footy.

“It’s really exciting to have the first half of the year out of the way and we can go back and see where we’ve improved from last time,” he said.

“They got us around the contested ball, a couple of our rotations went down, and it was a pretty warm.

“I think we’ve improved our outside game a bit as well as our press and scoring power since then.”

The Kangaroos coach said the team had started well but the focus would remain on consistency and trying to eradicate poor patches in quarters.

“We’ve been starting really well every game, but it’s about being able to withstand that over four quarters and making moments count,” he said.

“We’ve got to learn to play the clock a bit longer, our fast ball is good, but we need to keep working on the slower play.”