The Standard | TERANG Mortlake co-captain Damian O'Connor is facing a nervous wait after being reported in a fiery Hampden football league season opening round.
O'Connor was red-carded just before half-time for allegedly striking North Warrnambool Eagles tagger Hank Schlaghecke, sparking a melee.
It is understood O'Connor was not offered a set penalty, meaning he will have a date with the league's independent tribunal on Wednesday night.
Schlaghecke was taken to hospital with suspected delayed concussion as the Eagles scored a 38-point win at Bushfield Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The highly-anticipated showdown between last year's grand finalists Koroit and Warrnambool failed to live up to expectations with the Blues dominating the scoring.
In wet conditions the Blues kicked 4.5 to 0.2 with a strong wind in the opening quarter before winning 7.14 (56) to 3.7 (25).
The Blues kept the reigning premier goal-less until 22 minutes into the third term with Blair McCuthcheon's major met by bronx cheers from the home crowd.
Star recruit Tim McIntyre was impressive in the middle of the ground for the Blues while Travis Graham kicked four goals at full-forward.
Koroit's returning star Ben Dobson racked up possessions playing in the midfield and in defence.
The result put a dampner on Koroit's premiership flag unfurling at the start of the match.
Injuries to two-time Maskell Medal winner Simon O'Keefe (ankle) and midfielder James North (corked calf) left the Saints with a limited bench for much of the second half.
O'Keefe and North will be assessed during the week as to whether they come up for the Anzac Day clash against Terang Mortlake.
Port Fairy's new coach Brett Evans had a winning debut, with the Seagulls prevailing by seven points over Portland at Hanlon Park.
It was a similar story for Camperdown's new leader Phil Carse, with the Magpies overpowering a persistent South Warrnambool in the final term of their match to claim a seven-goal win.
