Both sides recorded narrow wins on Saturday, improving their records to 4-1.

Hamilton Kangaroos held off a fast-finishing Terang Mortlake, winning 53-50, while South Warrnambool came from behind in its 41-37 win over Port Fairy.

Hamilton Kangaroos coach Sara Byrne said the Bloods gave her side a scare, drawing level in the final term after trailing by as much as eight goals throughout the contest at Mortlake.

“It didn’t matter how far we got out, they kept coming back,” she said.

Byrne said the Kangaroos’ goal combination of Clare Crawford and Kelsey Lewis gave them an advantage.

“Our height in goals (helped). If we did miss a shot we were able to get the rebound back,” she said.

The former umpire said the Kangaroos, who had a winless Hampden league debut season, had shown patches of their potential.

“We have passages of brilliance bringing the ball down and it’s flowed brilliantly and then we fall back into bad habits again,” she said.

“It’s about consistency.”

Kangaroo Amanda Huf had an injury scare in the third term but had her ankle strapped and returned to play a key role, including snaring an important intercept in the final term when the Bloods drew level. 

South Warrnambool was three goals down against Port Fairy at quarter-time and one goal in arrears at the main break and final change.

Teenage Rooster Nell Mitchell dropped a game-high 32 goals, while Ruby Wilson was their best.

Portland recorded its first win since round one, toppling finals fancy Camperdown at Hanlon Park.

The Tigers won 56-49 after being four goals adrift at half-time. Hannah Bunney was named the Tigers’ best and reigning league best and fairest winner Lauren Hockley scored 30 goals.