ALBURY star Brayden O'Hara hit ominous form for Wagga Tigers as the AFL Riverina Championship heavyweight overpowered Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes by 20 points at Mangoplah on Saturday.
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The left-footer played his best match since joining the club by amassing 35 possessions and kicking a telling goal in the third quarter when the Goannas were threatening to challenge.
Since losing to Osborne in round one, Wagga Tigers have hit back strongly to emerge as the team to beat with two home and away rounds remaining.
O'Hara said he was enjoying playing in a potent midfield alongside Jake Gaynor, Shaun Campbell and Brendan Myers.
"I feel like I'm coming into it more and getting to know the boys better," O'Hara said.
"I'm using the footy alright at the moment which helps.
"It's a good midfield and we just have to make sure we help each other out."
Wagga Tigers dominated early possession and, despite a lapse in the third term when MCUE cut the deficit to six points, always looked winners.
Holbrook signing Luke Gestier provided a target with two goals and missed several others while at the other end of the ground Trent Castles had his hands full against Wagga Tigers full-back Justin Jenkins.
Although Castles booted two goals and produced flashes of brilliance including a 60-metres torpedo which narrowly missed, he was generally well held by the close-checking backman.
Jim Grills was dangerous with his run and carry while Campbell's grunt work resulted in many Wagga Tigers clearances.
O'Hara believes the side is building momentum approaching the finals.
"It was a good win," he said.
"They are a good side and give an even contest across the ground.
"It was good to come away with the points and hopefully we can keep building like we have been."
MCUE dangerman George Kendall had his moments in attack with two goals but was unable to exert the same influence as a fortnight ago against Osborne.
Nick Collins was the Goannas best player.
Wagga Tigers coach Troy Maiden thought his side made a statement early in the game.
"I thought our pressure early on was really good and that was a focus of ours, that contested ball and fierceness around the ball was great early," Maiden said.
"And none more so than young Tom McCoullough when he laid that tackle early on, it set the tone for us.
"That's a really good sign (how we responded to their third quarter challenge), they did come back and we knew that was going to happen at some point."