The Roos were unable to replicate their strong first round performance, which saw them come away with a 36-20 win over the South West Robins.

"Nines football you can't drop your ball 20m out four or five sets in a row and expect to defend it," Kemp said.

"To their credit it was a lot more even in the second half but Kootingal were a far better side today."

"I think my girls' heads weren't in it a bit today."

A lot of the mistakes came from trying to push the pass.

"I think for a few of the girls today, Kootingal were a bit bigger, bit tougher looking, and they were a bit daunted and not wanting to run through the middle, so there were a few panicked passes not wanting to have that contact," Kemp said.

READ ALSO:

"But a lot of them are new so they are still learning and confidence is a big thing when it comes to football."

The Roos were under the pump from the opening whistle, Roosters captain Jess Hall opening the scoring after three minutes. Maddison Lott crossed a couple of minutes later to make it 10-nil.

April Smith burst through and raced away 70m to get the Roos on the board but the Roosters hit back with two unanswered tries, the first of Georgia Lansdown's hat-trick right on half-time making it 18-6 at the break.

Smith scored the Roos' two tries, her second coming from a snipe from dummy half, and was one of their best along with Cassidy Morley and Toni Gale, Kemp noting Gale's defence especially.

That (defence) is really a work in progress for them.

"I'm not too worried about the attack. We dropped four sets but they know that. They've all played football, they know that that happens and you've got to cut that out. But tackle technique and all that for the girls, they're still learning," he said.

"Defence is everything. (But) We'll keep working on that."

Sign up for the Namoi Valley Independent's weekly email newsletter.