KOLORA-NOORAT reinforced its status as a force late in matches after running away from a gallant Nirranda at Noorat Recreation Reserve.
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The Power trailed 7.5 to 6.8 at half-time before overpowering the Blues with an 11-goals-to-five second half, winning 17.12 (114) to 12.9 (81).
Joe O’Sullivan kicked three goals in a rare stint forward, while Matthew Fidge earned best-afield honours for toiling away in the ruck.
Utility Tim Attrill and recruit Nathan Cahir were also in the best for the Power, which lost Nick Kenna (knee) and Luke Tebble (ankle) to injury.
The result left the three-time premier with a 5-2 record, which will become 6-2 at the break for interleague should it beat Russells Creek this weekend.
Coach Ben Kenna said he was pleased with the fight from his players against an opponent which was up for the contest.
Kenna said he felt the Power started to gain control in the third quarter, although it wasn’t until the start of the last when they kicked clear.
“Through that third quarter we weren’t able to get that goal or two to get that extra buffer,” he said.
“You’d get two, two-and-a-half goals up and they’d get the next one. I felt our ability was there but we couldn’t finish them off because their effort was good.”
Kenna said the match delivered multiple positives for his side: “young players contributed and the whole team, there was a fairly even spread”.
He said the decision to send O’Sullivan forward in the second half was born from needing to try something different.
“We had a lot of inside-50 entries all day. We felt we weren’t getting value for money in the first half,” he said.
“A couple of different guys went down there and we started to kick it to them a bit better.”
In other matches, Justin Nowell kicked 13 goals as Allansford thrashed East Warrnambool 35.23 (233) to 2.3 (15) at Reid Oval.
Nowell was a near-unstoppable force at full-forward.
His season-high tally came in just over three quarters, with a knock to the knee sidelining him late.
Dave Pullen and Sam Holloway, also among the Cats’ best, each kicked five while Leatham Robe provided a physical presence in the midfield.
Allansford coach Josh Parkinson said he was more impressed with the Cats’ defence — East was goalless after quarter-time — than their attacking prowess.
“We know we can score well and our attacking game is reasonably sound,” he said.
“As big as our score was, I was more happy with the fact they were held goalless after quarter-time. It really shows we’re getting better at defending.”
Parkinson said Nowell “probably found a lot more space than what we’ve previously been able to give him”.
“He would’ve taken in excess of 20 marks and dropped another 10. He certainly played well.”
South Rovers claimed their second win of the season by defeating a competitive Russells Creek 19.11 (125) to 11.12 (78) at Mack Oval.
The Lions trailed by four points at quarter-time but strung together quarters of six, six and four goals to win comfortable.
Nathan Krepp booted seven goals and Matthew Wood finished with three in the morale-boosting triumph.
Captain Julian Claridge, onballer Braden Hotker, back after a bout of osteitis pubis, and Matthew McMillan were their best.
Brad Everall led the attack for the Kangaroos with three goals. Everall, Shaun McDougall and Cam Williams were their best.