Gippsland Times |
Maffra marked the first game under its new lights with a 63-point victory over Moe.
A big crowd and ideal conditions greeted the players for the match on Saturday night.
After conceding the first four goals, the Eagles hardly put a foot wrong to begin its Gippsland League football campaign in winning fashion, 19.9 (123) to 8.12 (60).
Daniel Bedggood provided a spark in the forward line, finishing the match with five goals.
David Adams moved forward to kick two goals, while Eagles debutant Brad Caldwell also made good contributions in attack.
Owen Booth has the better of the ruck contests while also chipping in with two goals.
James Huts and Joel Lambourn were strong in defence, particularly when the Lions only managed four goals for the rest of the match following their initially burst of majors.
Winston Gieschen and Sam Bedggood provided good service through the midfield.
Maffra was caught off guard early as the Lions, coached by Eagles champion Adrian Burgiel, who did not play after surgery following the cricket season. The visitors were efficient with their entries into the forward line, kicking four goals to lead by 23 points eight minutes into the contest.
It was wasn't until James Hammill kicked a goal after a free kick that the Eagles began to get moving.
Two more goals from Daniel Bedggood reduced the deficit to seven points by quarter-time.
The Eagles were harder at the ball during the second term, and it paid dividends. The home side kicked six unanswered goals to head into half-time 33 points ahead.
A snap goal from the boundary from Darren Sheen late in the term highlighted how well the Eagles were going.
The Eagles continued to press forward in the third term, booking six more goals to two.
A highlight came when Sheen ran down the wing to kick the ball to Danny O'Brien, who handballed to Caldwell to set-up a goal for Daniel Bedggood.
By three-quarter-time, the Eagles led by 57 points and had taken away any hope the Lions had of victory.
The Lions did run out the game well, but inaccuracy in front of goal cost them any hope of making inroads into the margin.
Full back Kane Airdrie was Moe's best player, while Chris McIntosh, Leigh Sheehan and Lloyd Williams also tried hard to push back the tide in defence.
Peter Ainsworth and Jarrod Thornton were serviceable in midfield.
