Weekly Times | BUNGAREE has started the new Central Highlands league season with a win against last year’s runner-up Gordon for the fourth year in a row.
The Demons’ six consecutive goals in the opening term proved insurmountable for the Eagles, under new coach Gary Learmonth for the first time, and they slumped to a 14.10 (94) to 18.7 (115) loss at home.
The Demons’ recruit Christian Elliott immediately made an impression at his new club yesterday with six goals for the match, a tally matched by teammate Luke Mirtschin in a best-on-ground performance.
Mitch Bowman, the former North Ballarat Rebels player, also kicked three goals in his long-awaited debut for the club after missing all of last season due to injury.
Brendan Sutcliffe finished with four goals for Gordon.
Second-year Bungaree playing coach Heath Pyke said the side performed at about 80-85 per cent of its capabilities yesterday, but ball skills would be the main area to improve in.
“Too many times we over-kicked the footy or under-kicked the footy and created that extra possession,” he said.
“If we can clean that up it will enable us to move the ball a lot quicker and cleaner, which, with the dangerous forward line we’ve got, will give us an advantage over other sides I think.”
Both sides finished one-man down on the bench with Bungaree losing Mitch Bruns midway through the first quarter to an ankle injury, while Gordon’s James Kirkpatrick suffered a concussion in the second quarter.
Bungaree lost to Gordon the last time the sides met in last year’s qualifying final and was knocked out of the preliminary final by five points to Springbank.
A year earlier Bungaree knocked out Gordon in the preliminary final by eight points and went on to win the flag.
● RUSHWORTH has turned from winning one match throughout the Kyabram District Football League season last year to toppling reigning premier Merrigum in Round 2 yesterday.
Jason Hucker kicked eight goals while Adam Vick and Steele Lloyd were crucial contributors for the Tigers, who led at every change and won 13.17 (95) to 12.5 (77).
Umpire Greg Sidebottom, who passed away while officiating a Kyabram District match last week, was remembered with tributes at games across the AFL Goulburn Murray region yesterday.
● BAIRNSDALE kicked off the Gippsland league season with a thrilling five-point win against Drouin.
There was never more than a goal separating the sides at the breaks, and the Redlegs held onto a three-point three-quarter-time lead to win 10.9 (69) to 9.10 (64)
Leongatha won the grand final rematch by 31 points against reigning premier Traralgon, which had former Essendon player Jason Winderlich in its line up.
Warragul and Wonthaggi Power were the other Round 1 winners, and Sale plays Maffra today.
● SIX-TIME reigning premier Bridgewater opened the Loddon Valley Football League season with a 79-point win against Pyramid Hill yesterday.
Newbridge accounted for Marong by 28 points while Calivil United and last year’s runner-up Mitiamo had comfortable wins against YCW and Inglewood, respectively.
Bears Lagoon-Serpentine will open its season against Mitiamo next week.