GOLDEN Square issued a clear warning to rival clubs with a 56-point thrashing of Sandhurst in the opening round of 2002.
In the grand final re-match played at Country Vet Oval (then known as Origin Oval) seven years back, the Dogs banged home 10 final term goals to one to convert a four-point three-quarter time lead into a massive win.
It was an amazing victory. It has to be remembered the Square went into the big game with no fewer than 16 new players compared with the flag-winning line-up of 2001.
The Dragons were right in the grand final re-match until the 20-minute mark of the third stanza, but were powerless to withstand the Bulldogs onslaught.
In other early 2002 matches, Phil Carmans coaching return to the BFL was one hed probably prefer to forget. His Kyneton Tigers were soundly beaten by South Bendigo at the QEO.
The match was effectively all over by quarter-time as the Bloods piled on eight, unanswered goals by the first change.
Maryborough started the season brilliantly with a 108-point belting of Kangaroo Flat at Princes Park on the Saturday night. A sizzling first-half haul of six goals from Marc Cassidy set up the huge win.
AND at the Camp Reserve, Mick McGuanes BFL coaching career started well as Gisborne overran Castlemaine to win by 12 points.
The Gardiner Reserve Dogs came from a goal down at the last change to snare victory. The battle between gun full-forwards Steven Reaper (Gisborne) and Steven Oliver (Castlemaine) went Reapers way.
He booted three goals to Olivers one and to add to Magpie coach Shane Robertsons woes mercurial goalkicker Paul Eyles was reported on an alleged striking charge.
But back to the Wade Street oval match. Square seemed to have recruited extremely well with rover Jarrod Quinn, wingman Chris Malone (Seymour) and defenders Brendan Fraser, Anthony Holdstock (Kerang) and Brent Corcoran (Corowa) all impressive on debut.
Quinn, who was added to the BFL training squad the day after the Round 1 clash, showed he could become one of the best small men in the competition.
His four-quarter effort was inspirational.
The Bulldogs also had former Bendigo Diggers VFL players Darren Woosha Walsh and Paul Sharkey in the side.
Sandhurst coach Mark Ellis was left with a few headaches.
Star spearhead Toby Cardew (Mildura) was a late withdrawal leaving too much pressure on Ben Sexton to kick a winning score.
For the first two-and-a-half quarters it was a good game of footy. But after that Square completely blew us away, he said.
We know weve got a lot of work to do. Still, one game doesnt make a (football) season.
Square coach Brian Walsh said he couldnt have asked for a better start to the 2002 season.
Its probably the best home and away win weve had for a number of years, he said.
Everyone contributed which was very pleasing.
Pick of the Dragon recruits were backman Russell Weekly (Tyntynder), multiple goal-kicker Steve Freemantle (Huntly) and present day coach Kieran Nihill (returning from Queensland).
Gisborne had 10 shots to the Maines two in the final term at the Camp Reserve, although a return of 3.7 wasnt great. Michael Dillons goal midway through the last term levelled the scores and the Magpies had no answer to the Dogs finishing burst.
Reaper slotted two of his three goals in the last 15 minutes to wrap up victory for Gisborne.
Best for the Magpies were key defender Brendan Shepherd, Wayne Burchell, Sean Smith and Chris Jardine (back at the Camp Reserve this season).
Coach McGuane was especially pleased with Dillons game while Matt Fitzgerald, Shane Davis and new recruits Ollie Messaoudi and Matt Cannard were inspirational.
Apart from Cassidys six goals at Princes Park, Adam Shawcross was another Maryborough player to excel.
Recruited from Echuca after stints with the Bendigo Pioneers and Bendigo Diggers, centre half-forward Shawcross kicked four goals.
Cam Skinner also bobbed up with four goals while across half-back and in midfield Ashley Evans, Travis Ross and Troy Parker were outstanding.
Kangaroo Flat coach Derrick Filo (two goals), Shannon Milward, Brett Growler Gloury and top rover Wayne Landry were in the Roos best.
These days Filo, who is now 41, and 2008 Michelsen Medallist Milward are playing with Eaglehawk.
At the QEO, the Bloods had 10 goalkickers with recruits Neville Clarke (Diggers), Cameron Carter (Imperials), Shane Wilson (Warracknabeal, three goals) and Andrew Ball (Bridgewater) all in their best six.
After a stint coaching Mount Pleasant in the Heathcote league, Cameron Carter has lined up with Top Five fancy Kangaroo Flat in 2009.
David McCormick booted four goals for South. Kyneton had few four-quarter performers with new, star midfielders Michael OBrien (West Coast Eagles) and Brent Dryden (Coburg) the pick of a disappointing bunch.
Final scores for 2002s opening round: Golden Square 21.12 (138) def. Sandhurst 12.10 (82); Gisborne 13.12 (90) def. Castlemaine 11.12 (78); South Bendigo 17.14 (116) def. Kyneton 6.12 (46) and Maryborough 27.17 (179) def. Kangaroo Flat 10.13 (73).
Richards tips for Round 1: Golden Square, South Bendigo, Sandhurst, Gisborne, Castlemaine.
Round one sees new club Strathfieldsaye Storm at home to Castlemaine, with the Magpies this season celebrating 150 years of footy:1859-2009.
Progress tally: 2 (from season opening weekend, April 4th-5th)
By Richard Jones
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