Goodall, playing as a crumbing forward, was the star of Koroit’s 17.16 (118) to 3.4 (22) win over Hamilton Kangaroos at Victoria Park.

Dowie said that while the Maskell Medal winner had been in good form, he spoke to him during the week about getting more roving-type goals instead of from marks.

“I was probably being a bit picky,” Dowie said.

Goodall kicked three goals in a dynamic first quarter.

“He’s an amazing player,” Dowie said.

“He just hits the ball so hard, he plays like he’s six foot three. He’s got such an aura about him, obviously I’m a big fan.”

Dowie said their standing in the competition would be judged over the next month with matches against fifth-placed Camperdown, top side Warrnambool, fourth-placed Terang Mortlake and third-placed North Warrnambool Eagles.

He was pleased with the form of defender Tim McPherson, who made his debut with the Saints, after crossing from Panmure in the off-season. Dowie said the Saints had wanted more defensive pressure from their midfielders and forwards and they delivered, locking the ball inside their attacking zone.

“We looked at the average school kicked against us and their average score and they were both 56 points,” Dowie said.

“We said let’s try and have a big focus on trying to keep them below their average.”

North Warrnambool Eagles kicked a score over 100 points for the fourth time in five games when they defeated Camperdown by 39 points at Bushfield. Key forwards Dylan Parish and Josh Corbett each kicked five goals in the 20.8 (128) to 14.5 (89) result.

Co-coach Brendan Murfett said the Eagles had plenty of areas to improve and it was only a 7.0 to 3.0 third term that set the sides apart.

“They came out and played really well up until the third quarter,” Murfett said.

“And they came back with four or five goals in the last quarter. 

“They were definitely still in the game, it was just our third quarter was better.”

Star midfielder Sam McLachlan rolled his ankle but Murfett declared him a certain starter, having attended Vic Country under 19 training yesterday.

Camperdown coach Phil Carse said the form of key forward Nick Bateman in his first match of the season was a positive for the Magpies.

Bateman kicked six goals and gave his side a focal point.

But Carse saved his highest praise for teenage debutant Henry Green, who played across half-forward and in a forward pocket.

“I thought he was fantastic,” he said.

“For a 17-year-old to come and play like that in his first senior game was really good. His tackling and work rate was fantastic.”

Carse lamented his side’s third quarter when the Eagles kicked 7.0 to 3.0 to open a 46-point break at the last break.

“We just let ourselves down in the third quarter, we made a lot of turnovers and we weren’t as accountable as we would have liked,” he said.

“They are really good on the spread and the outside. If you are not disciplined enough to go with them they will chop you up.

“I was really disappointed with our performance.

“We have got Koroit next week, it’s another tough one. We have to be a bit harder on ourselves to produce four quarters of disciplined and focused footy, not two or three.”

grbest@fairfaxmedia.com.au