Only a week after drawing with Wodonga Saints, Phil Packer's side responded to a week of soul searching by turning in their best performance of the season to win by nine points.

Packer said it was important to bounce back immediately.

"The boys turned up to play," Packer said.

"Wodonga Saints have improved a lot, but we came out of Easter not prepared and it was pretty chaotic.

"It was a good win.

"We conceded the first five goals of the match and things weren't looking great but the boys did well after that."

Less than two goals separated the sides at the first three changes before the Blues put their foot down through the efforts of Rhys Preston, Danny Stewart, Josh Lieschke and Joel Wilson.

Kiewa-Sandy Creek coach Adam Mudra was disappointed with the outcome.

"Maybe externally they are a little bit underrated, but I look through their playing list and the top end talent is extremely talented," Mudra said.

"Unfortunately we let those extremely talented footballers have too much of an impact on the game.

"Stewart (Danny) and Cameron (Drew) kicked seven goals between them and Benny Dower had an impact.

"They had a bit of youth and run on the side which complemented those guys really well. Full credit to them, they were too good on the day.

"We have some good kids which brings enthusiasm."

Kiewa-Sandy Creek went into the clash without a handful of key players including Jack Di Mizio and lost Michael Thompson in the final 10 minutes of the clash with a hamstring injury.

"We felt we had enough depth so it wasn't personnel which cost us," he said.

"Our inability to connect between the midfield and forwards hurt us.

"We are hoping to get 'Thommo' (Thompson) back after the inter-league but we'll see.

"He's not a pup anymore so we will give him as much time as he needs."

Dederang-Mt Beauty's Nick Hynes starred in the Bombers 43-point win over Wodonga Saints.

Hynes was best afield with seven goals as the visitors charged clear in the second term through the workrate of Jack Neil, Tom McGhee and Dayle Martin.

Matt Murray was close to best afield in his first senior appearance for Thurgoona as the Bulldogs thumped Beechworth by 152 points.