Sundays blockbuster grand final rematch between reigning premiers Heyfield and last season's powerhouse ROSEDALE lived up to all expectations with the Blues prevailing in a tug of war style contest in the opening round of North Gippsland Football.
Heyfield club stalwart Jim Beha started the Kangaroos premiership celebrations, the 60 year club veteran and seven time premiership player had the honour of unfurling the flag ahead of the big clash.
As the premiership flag wafted over proceedings the Blues marked their intentions early slotting through the opening goal of the match through Andrew Flanagan at the two minute mark before hitting Heyfield in a physical 10 minutes of football.
With a host of missing senior players it didn't stop the Blues from standing tall early against their highly fancied opponents. Flanagan made it two on the trot a strong grab 20 metres from goal saw him register his second.
Play concentrated back and forth between the two half backlines as Heyfield rued missed opportunities in front of goal. Three consecutive behinds from the home side let the Blues defence off the hook as the Kangaroos small crumbing forwards pressure ensured they kept the ball in their forward 50 as they worked hard to capitalise on the scoreboard.
Missed shots to Jesse Leeds and Jack Woodland provided further reprieve for the Blues backline led by Gerard Barnes, Justin Smith and Scott Johnstone who were smothered by Heyfield's forward pressure.
Heyfield finally got the break through goal drilling the ball from the back line through the middle of the ground to register their first major. The celebrations were short lived as Brad Caldwell added Rosedale's third ahead of quarter time to level scores.
Heyfield's Nathan Wellins slotted through his sides first for the term with a goal on the run before Rosedale's Rohan Diamond mirrored his efforts at the other end of the ground.
The scoring dried up before a stellar individual performance by Rosedale's Brad Taylor. Tight on the boundary line deep in the pocket, the dynamo midfielder snapped true.
It went goal for goal as Wellins added another to his tally of four, before Flanagan stood tall in front of goals to put the Blues back in front.
A purple patch by Diamond saw him amass possessions, his hard work in and around the packs awarding Flanagan another as the Blues took an 11 point into half time.
Inaccuracy proved costly in the third term Heyfield piling on 2.6 (18) as they peppered away at the sticks as they dominated the play, but failed to put the contest out of the oppositions reach.
Dark clouds threatened overhead in the final term, Rosedale made it two on the run through Nic Rutter and Taylor as they looked to run away with the game. The Kangaroos' challenged first through Wellins and then Matt Goodwin but couldn't match the Blues in the final stages of the contest going down, 13.4 (82) to 9.19 (73).
The new breed of Wildcats stared in WOODSIDE'S win over Boisdale/Briagolong handing new coach Chris Pettitt the perfect start to the season.
The two sides fought out a tight contest in the opening half with the Bombers trailing the visitors by under two kicks at half time.
It became a David and Goliath battle after the long change, the visitors through Justin Staley caused havoc with a barrage of goals after the long break piling on nine majors for the second half to cruise home 35 point victors.
Rob Michaelides and Staley provided headaches for the Bombers defence kicking 10 majors between them in a stellar performance in front of goals, while Adrian Fazoli and Hank Norman were solid contributors in a strong team effort.
Watching from the sidelines last year through injury Bomber Adam Helmke was a standout, with new recruits Justin Shears and Josh Kennedy making an impact in their first match in the red and black.
CHURCHILL laid the foundation for its 19.10 (124) to 11.18 (84) win over Cowwarr with a six goal to two second quarter.
The match was evenly placed at the first change both sides desperation at the ball evident with the Cougars taking a nine point lead at the break.
The home side exploded out of the blocks in the second term, their solid quarter putting the Saints 34 points behind at the main break. The home sides momentum wasn't halted by the long change Churchill adding a further nine goals in a stellar second half. Cougar powerhouse forward Brendan Holt was the main figure in front of goals setting the impetus for victory with an individual haul of eight majors.
Travis Brighton was a valuable contributor for the home side, captain Chris Williams and ball magnet Brandon Mahoney worked tirelessly around the ground while the presence of tall Chris Burke also benefited Churchill.
Boasting 12 scoring shots to four in the third term, the Saints key forwards squandered opportunities in front of goal their wayward kicking keeping the visitors out of the contest. For the visitors Jordon Sandy led from the front in a best on ground performance.
Trailing for the majority of the contest, a new look SALE CITY rallied to come from behind in a sterling final quarter effort against the more fancied Glengarry.
Leading at every change the Magpies looked poised to start the season on the winning foot, before a five goal to two last quarter saw the Dogs hunt down the Magpies with a late term goal sealing the victory.
Caught flat footed the Dogs felt the effect of the Magpies as they hit the front early and diligently went about extending the margin at each change. The charge on the scoreboard was led by best on ground Josh King and Aaron Winkler who booted three a piece, while Dean Brooks and Chris Panayiotou dominated the contests against their lesser experienced opponents.
However, it was the young pups that clicked into top gear in the dying stages of the contest Captain Matt Lutze and experienced campaigners Brad McKay and Jesse Broadbent standing tall to provide new coach Joel Brayshaw with the perfect start to his coaching tenure.
Gormandale copped the full brunt of TTU at its awesome best as the Bombers unleashed their new recruits and provided spectators with an indication as to just how well the side has evolved in the off season.
The Bomber line-up came to life as they dominated play around the ground in a blistering 20 minutes of football, hitting the ground running with Michael Hall and Rhys Martin leading the charge as the visitors burst out to a handy 28 point lead at the first change of ends. The Tigers clawed their way back into the contest to trail by three goals at the main break, as veteran Wayne Henry imposed himself in front of goals.
The Tigers through best on ground Daniel Domaille worked hard to remain in the contest but could do little to eat into the Bombers three quarter time buffer which served them well. TTU winning 20.10 (130) to 14.10 (94), the Bombers goals scored from 10 individual goal kickers.
By Lauren Carey
