KOROIT played in patches but did enough to snare its seventh win of the season against Portland at Hanlon Park on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Saints made the most of the Tigers' inaccuracy, posting a 12.7 (79) to 7.17 (59) win.
Koroit kicked 9.1 to Portland's 2.9 in the first half to be 34 points clear at the main break.
Saints coach Adam Dowie said Portland fought back strongly.
"In the third quarter we generated inside 50s but we struggled to take marks and it bounced out quickly and they changed the way they played and started to take risks," Dowie said.
"In the fourth quarter they got back within a goal.
"(But) it was a comfortable win in the end.
"They would have rued missed chances but I felt we looked the better side most of the day but they played some good, strong patches."
North Warrnambool Eagles overcame extreme South Warrnambool pressure to post a 13.13 (91) to 10.3 (63) win which consolidated their top-three hopes on Saturday.
The Eagles kicked 4.5 and kept the Roosters goalless in the first term but were forced to dig deep thereafter as South Warrnambool found its feet at Friendly Societies' Park.
Eagles coach Bernard Moloney, who described his side's start as energetic, said the Roosters hit back hard in the second term.
They kicked four goals to two to peg the margin to 16 points at the main break.
"In the second quarter they came out of the blocks enthusiastic and hard at the footy," Moloney said.
"I was impressed with their pressure all over the ground.
"We were lucky at half-time to have a lead.
"It certainly wasn't an easy game for us they bottled us up well and defended at the stoppages.
"We had real trouble getting time and space."
South Warrnambool coach Matthew Monk said he was rapt with the Roosters' response after a poor start.
"We were certainly flat. I am not sure if that was a sign of being so young," he said.
"We'd had a pretty big month prior to that, maybe that took its toll.
"The boys are learning you have to be up every week."
Monk said the Eagles' forward-half pressure was a learning curve for the Roosters.
South Warrnambool midfielder Zacc Struth injured his hamstring and North Warrnambool Eagles defender Nick Maddison injured his groin.
justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au