A STRONG start in each quarter was the focus for North Warrnambool Eagles, which ticked off the goal to score its maiden win of the season on Saturday.
After a competitive start to the season, losing their opening three games by an average margin of eight points, the Eagles rewarded themselves with a 18.9 (117) to 12.6 (78) win against Cobden at Bushfield Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
Triumphant coach David Haynes said it was a slight relief that North was able to open its winning account.
“But it’s more pleasing the way that we played, that we were able to put four good quarters of footy together,” he said.
“Everyone contributed, which is what we wanted.
“Instead of only having eight or 10 people play well and the rest play below their best, everyone played well.
“It was obviously good to get the four points but it was good to have everyone contribute.”
The host stretched its lead at every change — up by three goals, 26 points and 38 points respectively.
“We started well and we focused on the first five minutes of each quarter,” Haynes said.
“We knew Cobden were going to be tough so we wanted to play each quarter on its merits. I think we did that.
“We presented quite well, we won the contested footy, we tackled hard and we contested hard.”
The coach believed his players learnt a valuable lesson on Saturday about the need for each player to contribute.
“Hopefully it gives us a bit of confidence going forward and hopefully everyone realises that we need everyone to be playing well, especially with the competition being so tight,” he said.
The Eagles are hoping to make it consecutive victories when they tackle Terang Mortlake next weekend in Mortlake.
“Hopefully we take the same intensity into it and we’ll take the same method as (Saturday),” Haynes said.
“Hopefully we get the same result but they’re in pretty good form, beating Koroit, who were the in-form side.
“It just shows that on any given day, any side can beat any side.”
The Bombers, served best on Saturday by Sam Uwland, are looking to bounce back from successive losses when they host the Saints next weekend.
Cobden coach Wayne Robertson could not be contacted for comment yesterday.