From the Border Mail
JOSH Walker has started his coaching career with a bang, leading Jindera to a gutsy nine-point home win against Howlong yesterday.
Almost 1000 fans, which was down on last year’s attendance at Howlong, saw the Bulldogs kick inaccurately but hold on for a 10.14 (74) to 10.5 (65) win.
Playing coach Walker, who joined the Hume league club after captaining Wodonga in the Ovens and Murray, said his side would have to improve to beat Holbrook next week.
The Dogs booted six straight behinds in the first term before Ashley Murray kicked the first of three majors.
“If we can clean up our skill errors we will put it up to them but we’ve got a bit of work to do,” he said.
“The boys had to fight it out ... it wasn’t pretty.
“We were a bit undisciplined and kept them in the game.”
Tensions boiled over on the quarter-time siren, with half the players on the ground involved in a melee.
Jindera regrouped to extend its four-point quarter-time lead to a straight kick at the long change but the Spiders remained in the game at the last break, down by just eight points.
The Dogs, with Trent McPherson, Blair Boyle and Brett Wightman on song, held on for a crucial first-up victory.
Jesse Dale booted four for the Spiders, who were also well led by Ryland Head, Bill Longley and Josh Giansiracusa.
Walker said a hard-fought win was the perfect way to start the season.
“Everyone did bits and pieces at times,” he said.
“We gave away six goals direct from 50 metres penalties. The first quarter we could have been six goals up.”
