An inspired display from The Rock-Yerong Creek co-coach Andy Carey ensured the reigning premiers secured their first win of the season at Ardlethan on Saturday.
The Pies stormed home against the Northern Jets with six goals in the final term to win by 35 points.
“It was a pretty close game actually until we kicked away in the last half of the last quarter,” Carey said.
He kicked seven goals in the 14.14 (98) to 9.9 (63) victory while Mitch Ward bagged three to take the contribution of the two key forwards into double figures.
The full-forward played down his contribution (“It wasn’t too bad”) and praised his former coach for making sure they got on top late.
“In the last quarter, David Pieper played well,” Carey said.
“And Dale Hugo, again, when we needed someone to stand up.
“He went through the middle and crashed and bashed and won a few clearances.”
The Jets led by a point at quarter time and were only down by a goal heading into the second half.
With Josh Plozza dominating the clearances, the home side posed a constant threat.
“Their ruckman played really well,” Carey said.
“He got first hands to the ball every tap and they knew where it was going.
“They probably won 75 percent out of the middle and we were playing follow the leader for a while.”
The Jets’ Mitch Haddrill was also a handful, continuing his impressive start to the season.
He kicked four goals after finding three in the win over North Wagga last week.
TRYC looked good in patches but – as was the case in the round one draw with East Wagga-Kooringal – took their time to get into the game.
Carey said they’re still searching for consistency.
“When we do what we’re trying to do, we play well but it just takes a little while for the boys to get into gear,” Carey said
“We’ve still got a lot to work on.”
The Magpies were without Tim Mathieson, Todd Hannam and Mark Flack but hope to have them back for Friday night’s Anzac game against Marrar.
However Josh Meiselbach’s availability remains uncertain.
There were no major injuries against the Jets but Carey and fellow co-coach Andrew Clarke both pulled up sore, along with Casey Hillary and Mitch Stephenson.
The Pies are hoping all four will be right to take on the Bombers who have had the luxury of the bye to lead into the traditional night game at Robertson Oval.
The Northern Jets are away to Temora in a local derby.
