WESTERN Storm finally broke their State League drought and recorded their first win for the season after beating Devonport by 39 points in their TSL match at Aurora Stadium on Saturday.
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Devonport started the better kicking four goals to two to lead at quarter-time, but the Storm responded with four goals in the second quarter and held the Magpies scoreless to lead by 22 points at half-time.
The Storm led by 14 points at three-quarter-time and kicked four goals to one in the final quarter to win 12.19 (91) to 8.4 (52).
Joe Chilcott was one of the Storm's best players with a five-goal effort; Jobi Harper and Logan Barker kicked two each.
Storm captain Jay Blackberry had 42 disposals off half-back to lead from the front, while Harper, Will Hanson, Jacob Huett, Brady Palfreyman and Clinton Drake were other good performers in the win.
"We were ecstatic to finally get across the line and it was reward for effort after a horror three months and we're just hoping it is the catalyst and can give us a bit of belief for the back end of the year," Storm coach Mitch Hills said.
"We have been working really hard over the last month at a different style of footy and we've been struggling with our ball movement and basic skill level but it all clicked today.
"We had 22 contributors who really had a crack and played a role for the team and did it to the best of their ability and I couldn't fault anyone who was out there today.
"I am proud of everyone who played and the way they pulled it all together and hopefully it means we have the belief in the group that we can win."
Hills said there was a different feel in his playing group for the game following their 108-point loss last week to Burnie.
"They came to play today and we had a much more competitive side and a great deal more ability in the side and if everyone fired we knew we could put on a real show and it came to fruition," he said.
"Some of our lesser lights really stepped up today and some of our young kids we were rapt with.
"They have been showing some good signs but they really clicked today and put in a good performance, which is really promising going into the second half of the year and into the future."
Phil Crowden and Aaron McNab were two of Devonport's better players with McNab kicking three goals.