WANDELLA have won their first game of the Golden Rivers season, with 10 goalkickers combining to defeat Moulamein by 65 points in front of a raucous Bombers crowd.
The win was never in doubt following the game’s opening stoppage, as Wandella quickly got a handle on the ball and peppered the Swans back line with inside-50s.
Wandella’s co-coaches Adam Ward and Justin Robinson were in fine form with four goals each, among the team’s 32 scoring shots.
Robinson said the score could have been higher.
“We always felt confident from the start, once we came out with that start and got in front,” he said.
“But I thought it should have been a bit of a bigger win, we didn’t kick very accurately.
“Especially in that first quarter, I myself kicked a couple of behinds early, which can knock your confidence, but once you nail one through the middle you’re back on.
“We had a good start and I’d like to think we had the ball in our hands for the majority of the game.
“We just had plenty of space in the forward line, so we had plenty of guys dropping into a hole and sneaking a goal here and there.”
Troy Robinson returned for his first game at the club since 2017 and took no time to get in the thick of things.
The club legend’s first kick was his first goal in his return, a moment that got the Wandella crowd up and about.
Justin Robinson said he was pleased to see the cohesion between the experienced heads and the young up-and-comers.
“A lot of those young boys playing with us now were probably fourths players when Troy left, so it was a very exciting day around the club,” he said.
“It works really well, the kids are always happy to listen and to learn from the older boys.
“We have plenty of experienced guys with some great knowledge that they’re wanting to share.
“When I took on this job I was pretty excited about the young talent that was in the squad and looking forward to working with them.
“It’s been great to see that paying off already.”
Nathan Boysen was impressive from half-forward, while Jarred Schlitz was the pick of a solid Bombers back line.
Robinson said he and his side knew the importance of giving credit for those players who worked to put the ball into the forwards’ hands.
“We always make sure we get excited about our goals and celebrate the guys who did that hard work to get it there too,” he said.
“When someone wins a hard ball in the middle or from a rebound-50, you have to make sure you let them know it was their work that resulted in that goal.
“Our back six were all pretty solid, and then a few of our mids also stood out.
“Nathan Boysen, John Cooper, Tim Robinson and Kaine O’Connell worked really well in the midfield.
“Then Russell Rich has always got his head over the ball and getting in and under, it’s a given now.”
The round’s other games sprung little surprise, Hay running away big winners over Macorna away from home by 78 points.
Jack Cattanach continued his strong start to the season with a big of five goals, with William Collis and Declan Watson each kicking three for the day.
Simon Darlow and Daniel Zambon rounded out the multiple goalkickers for the Lions with two each, while Josh Walters and Toby Whinfield scored three goals each for Macorna.
While kept busy, Fergus Bear, Travis Mercadante and Joshua Berryman were strong in defence for the Tigers, while Malcom Niewand was impressive through the midfield.
The Lions remain hot on the heels of undefeated Ultima, after the Roos claimed a big 87-point win over Murrabit to continue their undefeated start.
Ryan Devereux and Lincoln Frost both kicked three goals for Ultima, while Riley Haberman and Cameron Johnson kicked two each.
Coach Jack Shannahan was the only multiple goalkicker for the Blues, while Tobie Cameron and Liam Holt-Fitz also stood out.
