SOUTH COAST AFL
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Kiama coach James Walton says his club remains a work in progress as they learn a new playing style.
The South Coast powerhouse proved too strong after quarter-time for the improving Figtree at North Dalton Park on Saturday.
Figtree booted the first five goals and led by 24 points at quarter-time before the Power found their groove in a 15.13 (103) to 9.3 (57) victory.
The Power lost the past two grand finals to Wollongong but their maiden 2009 premiership-winning coach Walton returned to take charge of a club that features up to 12 new players this season.
He is introducing more of a run-and-carry game - he wants to get several players behind the ball then running and spreading at speed on gaining possession.
He admits the playing style isn't well suited to the smaller confines of home ground Boraira Oval but, when mastered, will be of benefit on big grounds such as North Dalton Park.
Kiama lost to Northern Districts by four points in the opening round and Walton says it will take time for his team to come to terms with the fundamental change in style.
"I wasn't disappointed with the loss to Northern Districts and we conceded the first five goals to Figtree so I realise it'll take time to adapt to change," he said.
"We're playing a different style but the players have embraced it and week by week we are getting better at it. There's no doubt we'll be a better side later in the season."
Having managed just a behind until early in the second term against the Kangaroos, the Power then changed gears in the second term, booting 6.4 to lead by nine points at half-time.
Walton said centre-half forward Jack Bateman, ruckman Josh Walton and defender Ben Hoctor were outstanding.
With the wet weather, just one other match was possible in round two - Bomaderry made it two from two with a 15.20 (110) to 3.5 (23) victory over Port Kembla at Kully Bay Oval.
Brett Tyrell and James Lee booted four goals each for Bomaderry.
The Northern Suburbs' home clash against Shellharbour was called off, and Albatross told the league they could not field a team against Wollongong.
With the Bulldogs having the round-three bye and no games over the Easter weekend, the premiers face a 28-day break before their next clash, against Northern Districts on April 26.
South Coast AFL officials are looking to reschedule the round two games for the June long weekend.