North Albury come from 31 points down to beat Wodonga at Bunton Park

The Hoppers trailed by 31 points at quarter-time but kicked eight of the next 10 goals on their way to an 11.9 (75) to 11.1 (67) victory at Bunton Park.

Cayden Winter capped a magnificent performance with three goals as North Albury - wooden-spooners in each of the last two seasons - chalked up a third consecutive win for the first time since 2015.

By contrast, Wodonga have now lost four on the spin after starting the year 5-0.

They booted seven goals to one in the first quarter but failed to score at all in the second term as North Albury responded with 5.2 including two goals for Jack Penny.

The Hoppers' defensive pressure created repeat turnovers, while their composed ball movement spoke volumes of the confidence surging through Tim Broomhead's players.

Wodonga's day got worse when Michael Driscoll hobbled out of the game with an ankle injury, while a concussion cut Liam Andrews' afternoon short.

Josh Mathey also spent time on the sidelines with a leg problem and while he was able to finish the game, the star midfielder looked far from comfortable.

North Albury led by nine points at the final break and when Broomhead kicked a tremendous goal from all of 50 metres early in the last, Wodonga's job became that much tougher.

The impressive Adam Jorgensen responded by kicking his third goal of the game but Winter's quick riposte at the other end snuffed out the Bulldogs' flickering hopes.

"The resilience of the group is really impressive," Broomhead said.

"To be down by six goals at one stage in the first quarter and to come out and respond the way we did in the second was really pleasing.

"There were a lot of efforts, individually, at the start of the second, which brought the rest of the boys with them.

"It was a really good result in the end and it's another big step forward for the group."

Goals from Jorgensen, Mathey, Angus Baker (2), Sam Jewell, Oscar Willding and Gus Jones put the visitors in a commanding position at the first break, with the Hoppers copping a real spray from Broomhead.

And the message clearly hit home as North Albury outplayed Wodonga in all departments after the break.

The pressure was impressive once again but it was the Hoppers' ability to play their way out of trouble and turn defence into attack which caught the eye as much as anything.

As the Bulldogs fought back late, it was a case of putting their bodies on the line in a desperate defensive effort and the rooms were rocking as the victorious home players walked into a heroes' welcome.

"It's an awesome feeling," Broomhead said.

"There was so much energy in the rooms; every week there seems to be more people in there and if winning footy is making everyone happy, that's a good thing.

"Footy's supposed to be fun, we're making it fun and everyone's loving being a part of it.

"We just want to keep going with it."

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