From the moment the boys hit the change rooms before the match, until full time, they were totally switched on and for the first time played to a game plan for all four quarters.

“The whole time from the experienced campaigners to our newbies were fantastic both as a team and with individual performances,” coach Geoff Harmer said.

To pick a top three this week was extremely hard.

The backs were outstanding with one-on-one pressure and pack defence, leaving Cowra with limited chances in attack.

Jayden Pennell and Kai O’Rourke were in devastating form, while Conah Wilder and co-captain Brayden Harmer-Clark when in the back 50 enabled the side to go forward in a fluent movement through the centre.

The likes of Brodie Harmer-Clark, Brandon Sanderson and co-captain Hamish Gledhill were able to play on quickly and give the forwards - especially Brady LeStrange at full forward - close and direct shots at goal.

The two small forwards supported their forward leader well with Max DeBritt shepherding well and newcomer Kye Hudchinson able to position himself in space, bagging three majors for himself.

There was one standout performer, only just though and that was Holland Taylor-Garbett who kicked five goals, set up more and ran all day from deep in the defencive 50 through to the goals via his wing which there was only about a half dozen Blues possessions on all day.

Tomorrow is a bye for all grades, with Young versing Cowra the following week in Under 18s, Women’s and First Grade.

QT - Cowra 0-1-1, Young 8-2-50.

HT - Cowra 1-5-11, Young 12-6-78.

QT - Cowra 4-7-31, Young 15-9-99.

FT - Cowra 5-7-37, Young 22-12-144.

Goalkickers - Brady LeStrange 6, Holland Taylor-Garbett 5, Kye Hudchison 3, two goals each to Kai O’Rourke, Hamish Gledhill and Brayden Harmer-Clark, and one each to Brodie Harmer-Clark and Jayden Pennell. 

Players, officials and supporters alike were keen for last weekend’s rematch of the 2015 Reserve Grade Grand Final between Young and Parkes under lights at North Parkes Oval.

The Saints put together their best first quarter performance of the season to date on Saturday, but again the new look, more inexperienced side of 2016 fell away with a lack of fitness a major contributor to the capitulation.

However the ever present ‘fight ‘til the end’ spirit once again showed and the guys didn’t want to let each other down, pushing until the end.

Captain Kai Frame led from the front and Stewarts Jewellers Players Player recipient Rowan Hosken was in absolutely everything from the centre to deep into both 50 zones.

Jarrod Pope at full forward and Hamish Gledhill at centre forward look to be forming a good combination, swapping in the ruck with Frame and JJ Thompson.

The backs had their work cut out again but Issac James, Ron Roe Snr and Robert Flynn did everything they could, but without last year’s lost experience and direction were unable to halt Parkes’ goal attacking.

Nathan and Danny Cousley have returned to the club and their exuberance is starting to be quite infectious, and with the signing of their brother Chris through this week it can only get better.

Again Blythey put it all in last week and managed to leave Parkes with his face intact, if all but a slight gash to the forehead, but he had recollection of being in a game.

QT - Parkes 5-7-37, Young 1-0-6.

HT - Parkes 11-13-79, Young 1-1-7.

QT - Parkes 19-19-133, 1-2-8.

FT - Parkes 22-23-155, Young 2-5-17.

Goalkickers - one each to Jarrod Pope and Brayden Harmer-Clark.