BOTTOM-PLACED North Warrnambool Eagles are bullish about shaping the Hampden league ladder after stunning top-ranked Koroit.
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The Eagles ended a nine-game losing streak on Saturday, clinging on for an 11.8 (74) to 10.13 (73) win at Bushfield.
It was the Saints’ first loss since their 2017 second semi-final defeat.
“It was good but it means nothing unless we back it up in the second half of the season,” Eagles coach Graeme Twaddle said.
The Eagles held a 29-point lead the final break but were forced to fend off a fast-finishing Koroit.
Jarryd Lewis, who returned from a serious hand injury, kicked the winning goal.
Twaddle said it was a relief to win a tight game after four losses under two goals in the opening nine rounds.
“The last couple of minutes were nerve-racking – I had visions of earlier in the season,” he said.
“When we have 21 contributors, we can beat anyone.
“We were in a position to beat Port Fairy, in a position to beat Cobden and in a position to beat Terang Mortlake.”
Twaddle said emerging midfielder Sam James had 30 disposals and 11 clearances and ruck duo Jordan Dillon and Ben Mugavin negated Jeremy Hausler’s impact.
Veteran Xavier Mills’ selfless role on creative rebounding defender Dallas Mooney and promising teenager Jackson Grundy also earned praise from the Eagles coach along with Zac Bussell, Adam Wines and Dylan Parish.