decisive win over the Picton Rangers in Granville yesterday.

The thorough victory over Picton sends this year’s minor premiers in the Griffith and District Football Association (GADFA) into round three of the statewide knockout competition.

Though beaten in an upset at the GADFA grand finals two weeks ago against rivals the Yenda Tigers, Norths have bounced back, motivated by the loss after a previously undefeated season.

The 2-1 loss in the grand final a fortnight ago had caught the consistently strong team offside, but Norths coach Chris Howard said they were planning on making up for it in the Champions of Champions competition.

The team battled unseasonably hot conditions against Picton to come away the winners, with the Griffith side more used to the 30- degree-plus weather.

Howard said the effort was testament to how good the team could play when the pieces fell into place.

“It was very good today, we played incredibly well,” he said.

“Every single person that played today put in 100 per cent.”

Though Howard said he was unable to pick a standout player from an all-round strong team effort, striker Michelle Foscarini made her mark on the field and on the scoreboard, netting four of the five goals scored by the Norths side.

The icing on the cake after Foscarini’s devastating barrage of points was a goal from Chris Howard’s sister, Natasha.

Natasha Howard’s goal capped off a great game overall for the team, which is now shaping up to be a

contender in the statewide competition.

A high level of fitness among the Norths side worked to the team’s advantage yesterday in the scorching Granville heat.

“Fitness made a difference to our team,” Howard said.

“A lot of the younger girls ran the other team around.”

The 5-2 scoreline against Picton also showcased the team’s improved ability to capitalise on goal-scoring opportunities.

“We haven’t really taken our chances in front of goal, but we did that well today,” Howard said.

Maintaining a strong level of structure will be the focus of training this coming week as they enter Round 3 of the competition.

A win next week will put Norths Exies into the semi-finals.