Waaia produced another statement Picola District Football Netball League win on Saturday, downing Katamatite in emphatic fashion at the Waaia Recreation Reserve.
The Bombers put in an impressive four-quarter performance against the depleted Tigers, taking a 48-point lead into half-time and eventually running out 2.3 (15) to 18.15 (123) victors.
Waaia coach Mark Meyland said it was a reasonable four-quarter performance from the side.
“We ran out the game quite well,’’ he said.
“Our fitness looked to be quite good and a lot of things fell into place to have a win that big.
“We’d probably be foolish to think that Katamatite were at full strength.
“I think they were obviously missing quite a few people.”
Connor Brown once again performed well for Waaia, backing up two seven-goal hauls with a bag of six before injuring his shoulder in the fourth quarter.
“It (his contribution) has been fantastic until he popped his should out on the weekend,” Meyland said.
“He’s going to be on the sidelines for quite a while, unfortunately for us.
“I think it’s a dislocation, which is a shame.
“He was on fire until then and he’s been on fire for us the last few weeks.
“We’re definitely going to have someone to step up and fill his spot, that’s for sure.”
Mitch Cleeland was named Waaia’s best on the day for his performance at centre-half back, while Ash Holland dominated in the ruck and Ash Thompson also performed well.
Meyland said the bright start to the season had the club up and about, however he acknowledged there was still plenty of work to be done.
“We haven’t played a lot of the sides in the top eight yet, so we don’t really know where we stand, hopefully at the pointy end,” he said.
On the other side of things, it was a disappointing loss for Katamatite, with the defeat the Tigers’ third of the season.
It was quite a different looking Katamatite side on the field, with a number of players missing.
With no Nichol Clurey, Luke Riordan, Sam Wright, Jedd Wright or Ben Bray among other outs for the club, it was a tricky day for the Tigers and one that sees them drop to fifth place on the ladder.
In other Picola round nine action, Tungamah continued to build its percentage, defeating Tocumwal by 116 points.
Strathmerton continued its winning streak, downing Picola United in convincing fashion, while Jerilderie beat Rennie by 37 points.
Katunga had a day out against Mathoura with a 178-point win, while Katandra cruised to victory against Blighty.
The Deni Rovers had a week off.