They did it the hard way, but Waaia produced a fine Picola and District Football League victory over Katandra on Saturday afternoon.
Playing away from home, and with a slight breeze in the air, it was a shaky start for the Bombers, however some inaccurate kicking from the Kats in the first term saw the visitors enter the first break in front.
A big second quarter from Katandra had the side travelling well, however some late goals to Waaia evened up the scoreboard.
Once the sides came out for the second half it was one-way traffic, with Waaia running away with a 17.12 (114) to 9.9 (63) victory.
Speaking after the game, Waaia co-coach Mitch Cleeland said the Bombers’ lacklustre first-half kicking put the side on the back foot early.
“Our work rate at some times wasn’t quite there with what they threw at us,” Cleeland said.
“We knew they were going to come hard but they probably went a level higher than what we were expecting and we probably just didn’t switch on to that early on and our first quarter was really good but that second quarter they just got away from us.”
Cleeland said Waaia was a lot cleaner in the second half, with a better work rate and some positional changes having an impact.
Lachlan Wright played well for the Bombers. Shaun Greenway stood out on debut after moving to Waaia from Yarroweyah, while Connor Brown kicked seven goals.
“We’re getting a different contribution from everyone each week, we don’t have the same blokes all the time which is nice,” Cleeland said.
Katandra coach Trent Herbert said after an inaccurate first term, it was good to see the side produce a strong second term, however skill errors cost the side in the third.
“They’re a quality side, they’re the benchmark so it was good to see that we did test it with them for a bit,” Herbert said.
“It’s good to see where we’re at now.
“We know where to build to sort of get them and hopefully we can verse them again at the pointy end.”
Herbert said it took a team effort to keep up with the Bombers, with Katandra not relying on individuals to win the ball.
“We had a few blokes that are starting their senior career and starting to find a spot which is good and they’re actually developing into good senior footballers which is good,” Herbert said.
“To see them come up against a good side and actually still reap the rewards it was good to see really.”
Zach Wild, Jonty Wardle and Luke Smith were among the Kats’ best on the day and while the final score saw the Bombers win by 51 points, Katandra will take plenty away from the contest.
In other Picola and District Football League games, Picola United picked up a thrilling eight-point win over Jerilderie in Jerilderie.
Katamatite got things done against Tocumwal with a 37-point victory, while Berrigan was a convincing winner at home to Mathoura.
Strathmerton returned to the winners’ list away from home after downing Deni Rovers, while Tungamah continued its bright start to the year with victory over Blighty.