The Blues’ attack was a dangerous force in their commanding 17.17 (119) to 8.12 (60) win against North Warrnambool Eagles at Bushfield Recreation Reserve.

First-year Warrnambool coach Matt O’Brien believes his players are finding cohesion inside forward 50.

Captain Sam ‘Moo’ Cowling, who has overcome a spate of injuries, was back to his dominant best against the Eagles, clunking strong contested marks at will.

Classy recruit Luke Cody was influential with six goals, equally as dangerous on the ground as he was on the lead and ruckman Dan Weymouth was a threat in the air when resting forward.

Jye Turland, in his 100^th game, and midfield duo Thomas Ludeman and Jackson Bell also hit the scoreboard.

“The clincher for us was our crumbing up forward, to lock the ball in our forward line and to get to ‘Moo’ (Cowling’s) feet really held us in good stead,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien said Cowling, who kicked one goal, was relishing the chance to lead the club again.

“Every week he’s gotten better but his attack on the footy has been like that the whole time,” he said.

“Everyone is getting used to seeing him there, finding him and looking for him as first option and his ability to either hold the ball or bring it to ground really gives us something.”

Cody, in his first season in the competition, is second on the league goal kicking table with 19 majors.

“He’s just a very dangerous player but as I mentioned in there (to the players after the game) he does the defensive things as well,” O’Brien said.

“He’s not a one-trick pony. His preparation is first-class, the way he looks after himself. He’s been a real asset off the field as well as on it.”

O’Brien was also pleased with the Blues’ defence, notably Marty van Rooy who played on Eagles swingman Tom Batten when he moved forward.

“When he (Batten) went forward, he was dangerous and I thought Marty beat him down there,” he said.

“That took him away from their defence, where he was generating run,  too so that was a pretty big win for us.”

North Warrnambool Eagles coach Graeme Twaddle labelled the heavy defeat, which left them winless after six rounds, “pretty disappointing”.

“A number of their goals were from our direct turnovers so our execution was poor,” he said.

“Our match ups in the centre didn’t work for us because they chopped us up in the middle of the ground, especially with their midfield spread.

“They have a lot of class there but they’re not speedy players.”

Twaddle paid tribute to Cowling, saying the Warrnambool skipper “commands respect”.