Herald Sun | A FAST start paved the way for Nepean league's resounding 39-point win over Central Murray in Saturday's Worksafe Country Championships clash at Rosebud.
Hastings star Justin Berry led the early charge as the Nepean Bulldogs rushed to a four-goal lead at quarter-time.
Crib Point midfielder Waide Symes gathered a heap of possessions and former Dolphins captain Mitch Bosward also ran rampant as Nepean went on to win 16.12 (108) to 9.15 (69).
Sorrento spearhead Leigh Poholke was named best on ground after booting eight goals.
Nepean coach Ben Holmes said his talented and well-balanced side was motivated to start well.
"We had a great start. I thought our rotations were going well and they didn't actually make many rotations. I thought they were going to get tired,'' he said.
"But to their credit Central Murray responded pretty well in the second quarter and bounced back and made it a game. There were only a couple of goals in it at half-time. So we had to refocus.''
Interleague first-gamer Josh Mold also shone, as did Rye captain Rhett Sutton.
Holmes said Central Murray were very quick when they got out forward, "but I think over the ground we had too much talent for them''.
After the game, the triumphant Nepean side hired a bus and went on a "pub crawl'' around the peninsula.
"They like to enjoy themselves,'' Holmes said of his side, adding that he "escaped'' mid-tour.
The win lifted Nepean league to 13th in the state rankings. Its opponent next year will be Mallee.
Holmes, who said he'd like to remain as coach, said the league's goal was to climb into the top 10.
■ Nepean 16.12 (108) d Central Murray 9.15 (69)
■ Goals: L Poholke 8, L Herrington 2, J Flack, A Findlay, B McGrath, T Wheeler, J Berry, J Mold.
■ Best: L Poholke, W Symes, J Mold, J Berry, M Bosward, R Sutton.
By Simon McEvoy
Article first appeared Mornington Peninsula Leader May 26, 2014