MACORNA broke a six-game losing streak against Ultima in the opening round of the Golden Rivers Football League season, defeating the two-time reigning premiers by 16 points.
Brett Collins kicked three goals and coach, Wayne Mitrovic played at his vintage best as the Tigers ensured the ‘Roos joined Murrabit (2008) and Wakool (2014) as reigning premiers to lose their first match of the season in the past decade.
Ultima – who went into the game with 13 of its 2015 premiership side listed – had not lost to the Tigers since round 13, 2012, and the signs that this run would end were evident early.
Former Richmond player, Brent O’Hanlon played in the midfield rather than in the forward line, with his height providing headaches for Ultima’s midfielders.
New ‘Roos forward, Basil Althouse also looked like he could dominate terms, but he struggled to get the ball in the opening term.
Macorna led by 11 points at quarter time, with the game turning into a shootout in the second term.
Led by Ryan Devereux and Tom Bull, the ‘Roos challenged to claim the lead, but the likes of Brad Ladson, Matt Ladson and Mitrovic had other ideas.
Mitrovic kicked his two goals of the match in the second quarter, as well as setting up many other opportunities, to ensure the visitors held a nine-point lead at the main break.
Ultima cut the margin back to less than a goal early in the third term, but it would be the closest the home side would get to the Tigers.
Macorna extended its lead to 37 points late in the quarter, but a goal to Althouse cut the lead to 31 points at three-quarter time.
Ultima mounted a comeback in the final term, reducing the margin to less than three goals, but Collins’ third goal of the game, kicked early into time-on, sealed the win.
Jesse Lampi (two goals), Matt Ladson and O’Hanlon were best on ground for the Tigers, who host Moulamein this weekend.
Devereux kicked five goals for the ‘Roos, with Althouse marking his debut with four goals.
The challenge will be just as tough for Ultima this weekend, with the side travelling to Wandella.
Maroons too strong
NULLAWIL opened its 2016 Golden Rivers Football League season with a 39-point win against Murrabit.
Both teams were missing major players, with the home side going into the game without centre half-forward, Andrew Oberforder and full back, Brett Barker, whilst the Blues were missing coach Nathan Henry, defender Dain Hayes and new recruit, Luke Nyko.
What eventuated was a shock to many neutral fans throughout the league. Nullawil came with an intention to make a statement and from the start they did. The home side was able to suffocate Murrabit early in the match with the winning of clearances and locking the ball in their front half. This was through their big bodies in the midfield such as Grant Ford, Jack Barry and Matt Harrop, who won several early clearances and gave first supply to Kal Heslop.
Nullawil’s main forward had an intriguing battle with Blues recruit Dylan Morison all day. While Heslop was able to kick five goals for the match, Morison was not disgraced and nullified a significant amount of supply that Nullawil brought in.
Tom Holdstock kicked Murrabit’s first two goals of the game early in the second quarter, but the Maroons’ ball use ensured the home side led at the main break. Up to this point of the match Nullawil’s prime ball winners were all having a big influence and dictating play through the centre of the ground.
Kicking with the scoring end in the third quarter, Nullawil looked to push the result out of Murrabit’s reach, but the game became more of an arm wrestle, with ball use slightly dropping in quality.
Ford was electrifying at half forward, having an exceptional game assisting a lot of score involvements. Whenever he had the ball, something positive was happening.
Daniel Watts grew into the game as did Matt Heslop, before suffering a potential season-ending leg injury.
By this stage the damage had been done, with the Maroons leading by 49 points at three-quarter time.
The Blues lifted in the final term, with Holdstock, Bryden Morison, Dylan Morison and Josh Dwyer leading the way.
Nullawil travel to Hay this weekend, with the Blues to host Quambatook.
Coach’s impressive debut
NEW Wandella coach, Paul Grayling made a memorable Golden Rivers Football League debut, kicking seven goals in the Bombers’ 88-point win against Quambatook.
Wandella’s defenders and midfielders limited last season’s grand finalists to four goals for the match – all kicked by three-quarter time.
The Bombers led by 17 points at quarter time, before taking control of the game by half-time thanks to a eight-goal second term.
Wandella continued its dominance in the third term, amassing a 68-point lead at the final break, before kicking the final seven goals of the game.
Justin Wilson, Greg Dickson and Daniel Baker booted three goals each for the victors, whilst Gregor Knight kicked two of Quambatook’s four goals of the match.
Grayling, Wilson and Matt Wilkinson were best on ground for the Bombers, with Dylan Pascoe, Ash Davis and Luke Jackson playing well for the Saints.
Wandella will aim to go 2-0 after two rounds with a win against Ultima on Saturday, with Quambatook to travel to Murrabit.
Experience matters
HAY opened its season with a 90-point win against Moulamein, with a new recruit leading the way.
Taylor Williamson – who previously played for Clarence in the Tasmanian Football League – kicked eight goals to inflict Moulamein’s 21st-consecutive loss.
The game was evenly poised at the opening break, but a six-goal second term shut the Swans out of the match.
Hay was never headed, kicking 10 of the final 16 goals of the match to open its season the best way possible.
Jason Henderson booted three goals for the Lions, with Ben Buxton (two goals) Moulamein’s leading goalkicker.
Jackson Ferguson, Williamson and Tim Hanna were best on ground for the victors, with new recruit Xavia Elford, Matthew Pearse and Buxton better players for the Swans.
Hay host Nullawil on Saturday, with the Swans to travel to Macorna.
