A THIRD quarter fade out could have proved costly for Moyhu against King Valley on Saturday, with the Roos piling on seven unanswered goals.
But as they have done almost without exception over the past 18 months, the Hoppers responded with a strong final term to grind out a seven-point win.
Earlier it looked to be a case of how far for the Hoppers, who dominated the first half and led by 29 points at the long break.
When Moyhu kicked a couple of early majors in the third term, the margin was out to seven goals and the Roos looked gone for all money.
But rather than roll over, King Valley's defence began to get the upper hand, rebounding off half back and pumping the ball forward.
With the Roos' on-ballers lifting and beginning to win the stoppages, their momentum increased, and by three quarter time Moyhu's lead had been whittled away to just one point.
In the end it was tight, and both sides had their chances.
Moyhu kicked 3.5 to King Valley's 2.5 in the final quarter to win 12.15 (87) to 11.14 (80).
While he was disappointed with the third quarter lapse, Hoppers coach John McNamara was happy with the way his side responded.
"We just took our foot off the accelerator," McNamara said.
"In the first half we were first to the ball, but we just dropped our work rate and started getting in second.
"We had to turn that around and start winning the hard ball.
"The boys came out in the last quarter and did that, which was pleasing.
"Dave Renton took some important marks and we kicked the first couple, so the response was very good."
McNamara paid credit to ruckman Frazer Dent-Ould, whose influence on the match mirrored Moyhu's dominance.
"He really set us up in the first half," McNamara said.
"He took some big contested marks and provided a lot of run into the forward line.
"He probably ran out of tickets a little bit in the third quarter, but his last quarter was very solid."
McNamara was also rapt with the performances of Marcus Lloyd and Ben Waite.
"Marcus has been very good for us this year," he said.
"The only reason he didn't play last year was because he was building a house, so he's been like a new recruit.
"You always know what you're going to get out of him he's a tough little bugger.
"Ben Waite had the job on Adam Williams.
"You're never going to completely take Williams out of the game, but he's been getting 30 touches every week, so we told Ben if he could keep him to 15-20 we'd be happy, and he certainly did that.
"Ben doesn't get recognised outside the club very much, but he gets the toughest player every week, and all of the coaches here love the way he goes about it."
All in all, McNamara was thrilled to get another win on the board, but said the Hoppers had some big tests to come.
"It's very pleasing to be 6-1, because I think the competition is more even than it was last year," he said.
"We've played All Blacks, King Valley and Tarrawingee, so to only have the one loss so far is excellent.
"But we've got Whorouly and Milawa coming up after the break, so I think that will tell us a bit more about where we are at."
By - SCOTT ANDERSON.
Last Modified on 21/05/2012 10:39