Goannas go 3 for 4 in round 2 meeting with the Midwest Brumbies

Coach Shawn Todhunter can usually boast some of the best up-and-coming talent in the sport in his roster and this year is no exception, but preparation was always going to be tough given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"This year's been terrible," Todhunter said.

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"The preparation hasn't been the greatest because of COVID, so it's been nerve wracking for sure, the first week I didn't know half the kids, we just gave them a run at each of their positions as they went and figured it out from there."

But aside from the uneven start, Todhunter's charges are finding their feet quickly, only allowing a single unconverted try across the line before piling on 46 points in response against the Midwest Brumbies in Mudgee on the weekend.

The 46 - 4 scoreline was a nice take-away, but the best sign for Todhunter is how quickly the girls are improving.

"There's even a few new kids in the side that haven't played tackle footy before, they've all played really well both weeks, I think Isabelle Attwater in particular is going to be something special," Todhunter said.

Attwater managed a double during the game and was the coach's choice for player of the match.

"She's pretty high up in her skillset with everything, she's a really good runner too, when the game backs down on them, she just sort of gets into it and goes," Todhunter said.

Todhunter's daughter and Western star Taneka pulled off a hat trick during the game, but the side is already finding it's self planning for a likely November departure as she'll be expected to once again spend time with the Sydney Roosters Tarsha Gale cup squad.

"That last little stint with the Roosters has improved her a fair bit, she's been very consistent and built up a bit of weight, which is good," Todhunter said.

Luckily for her coach, other names are already starting to step up and stand out among the packed roster.

"We've got a young girl named Sally McCarroll, she's definitely be someone who we can start instead," Todhunter said.

McCarroll also managed a double during the match in Mudgee, in a sign that the side's strike ability is only set to grow.

"We'll probably give Taneka a bit more bench time just to get them used to not having her around and we'll rotate in some of these other girls who are really good."

The side will next take on Woodbridge in an away fixture, before returning home, but Todhunter's already expecting a tough challenge and plenty of opportunities.

"It's going to be a hard game playing Woodbridge, it always is, but the kids are picking up all the fundamentals really well, if we can hold a side out, we can definitely score tries," Todhunter said.

"That's been the main focus for us so far is the defence, if we can keep that up, I think we're going to be able to keep getting better, and then we're going to be a pretty hard side to beat."

The Goannas opens and 16s sides were also victorious, with the opens winning 36 - 6 and the 16s coming away unmarked in a 26 - 0 victory.

The 14s, however, fell 4 - 10.