North Warrnambool coach Adam Dowie full of praise for Hamilton Kangaroos

The Kangaroos caused the second-ranked Eagles problems in areas on Saturday.

The Eagles, who recorded a 13.17 (95) to 5.8 (38) win at Bushfield, were overshadowed in the clearances.

MORE FOOTY: Key players injured as Roosters fly into bye

"We knew Hamilton were a team getting better and Lachie Waddell was a late withdrawal which probably hurt them a bit," Dowie said.

"I feel like they're on the verge; they're playing Hampden league style of footy.

"They tested us and had done their homework. Clearance-wise we got shaded in that area."

FitzGerald said the Kangaroos' statisticians recorded them winning the overall clearance count 26-12, including 14-4 at the centre bounces and 12-8 around the ground.

"Obviously we had to make a significant adjustment to how we play around the ball when Levi (Dare) left but I was ready for that," he said.

"I had some thoughts in mind and we put them into action.

"The last two weeks I thought we've played against the best and we've won the clearances against Koroit and against North Warrnambool. It's where we're going to continue to make progress."

MORE FOOTY: Bombers fly into week off with third win in four games

Dowie was thrilled with the Eagles' second half. They kicked eight goals to one and were defensively strong.

"Our back line looked a little bit more in control of their opponents - Joe McKinnon and Luke Wines had an impact and we moved Tommy James - he'd started onball because Louis Holland didn't play - and we pushed him back and Callum Grundy came back from a week off with concussion and was really good," he said.

"They were getting up and down the ground pretty well but then to attack we were holding our position a little bit better."

North Warrnambool lost lockdown defender Baillie Keast after a heavy collision.

He was taken to hospital as a precaution.

"Typical Baillie, he was running back with the flight of the ball and dived on it and got cannoned into by one of our guys coming the other way," Dowie said.

The Kangaroos unveiled a debutant in Max Green, a Port Fairy cricketer who goes to school in Hamilton.

FitzGerald said Green collected 15 disposals, took four marks and laid five tackles.

"We are happy to give responsibility to our young boys, even when we're playing a good side like North Warrnambool," he said.

"He was quite promising."

North Warrnambool 3.6, 5.7, 11.13, 13.17 (95)

Hamilton Kangaroos 2.2, 4.5, 4.6, 5.8 (38)

GOALS

North Warrnambool: Jett Bermingham 3, Jarryd Lewis 3, Adam Wines 2, Ben Kellett 2, Benjamin Mugavin 1, Thomas Batten 1, Luke Wines 1

Hamilton Kangaroos: Riley Alexander 2, Darcy Russell 1, Hugh Douglas 1, Luke Uebergang 1

BEST

North Warrnambool: Jett Bermingham, Harry Keast, Joseph McKinnon, Jarryd Lewis, Sam James, Callum Grundy

Hamilton Kangaroos: Cameron Whyte, Duncan Rentsch, Jack Hickey, Charles Murrie, Thomas Scott, Christopher Quinn

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