Sea Lake Tigers have set the benchmark for the 2015 season with a dominant performance against the Southern Mallee Giants. After last year's premiership flag was raised before the game, the Tigers came out firing, and started as though they had a point to prove.

In a solid four-quarter display of efficient and hard running football, the Tigers never let the Giants into the game. A 4 goal to 1 first term set up the game and they continued on from there, improving their lead at every change. The Giants just couldn't break the momentum of the Tigers. On the rare occasion that the Giants were able to kick back-to-back goals, the Tigers would soon break their run and kick away again.

Slick skills and use of the corridor made for very efficient football for the Tigers. Midfield players were given first use by ruckman Zac May, and Matt Elliot and Wes Harrison were able to find space and deliver accurately to their strong forwards without too much pressure from the opposition.

Jordan Doering and Simon Weekley were providing headaches for the Giants backman and linked up well to kick 13 of the team's 19 goals.

At the other Kain Robins and Luke Martin battled it out with both players able to win contests at different stages of the game. Robins finished with 3 goals while Brock Orval, Ben Webster and Sam Weddell managed 2 each for the Giants.
Simon Cook and Tyler Lehmann lead by example with high work rates and determination, the rest of the team now need to follow for improvement to come.

It's certainly not the result the Giants would have been after in their first outing as a new team, but it may need a little time to gel.

The Tigers' juggernaut seems to have gained momentum from 2014 and have made an early statement to the rest of the league.

In what has traditionally been a tight and hard fought battle, Ouyen United have been able to take first honours in its opening round clash against Walpeup Underbool.

The first quarter saw players keen to get their hands on the footy with many physical contests resulting. The Roos won plenty of the ball early, however weren't able to capitalise on their opportunities. This allowed Henry Armour and Laurence Angwin to get on top in midfield and up forward.
The game opened up in the second quarter to the Demons' advantage. Kale Barker used his pace to put his stamp on the game as he helped his team take back the lead.

New coach Shane Birss and returning player Ryan Anderson were able to gather plenty of the ball and helped the Roos get back into the game in the third quarter.

However Ouyen United kept responding to the challenge. They went through new player Colin Keatch on the wing to drive the ball forward to their strong forwards. Kale Barker finished with five goals and Brad Vallance and Laurence Angwin four each, were all able to get on top of their defending opponents.
Even Matt Palmer being shifted forward to kick goals late in the game wasn't enough for the Roos to overcome the Demons.

Ouyen United will take plenty of positives from the game and will hope to set themselves up with wins early in the season.

By Dale Shannon