LANCASTER emerged the victors in an arm wrestle against Girgarre in a gripping opening round one Kyabram District League clash on Saturday.
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The Wombats prevailed by nine points but both coaches drew positives out of the game.
Wombats mentor Corey Carver thought Girgarre used the ball better, but his charges had slightly more of it which proved the difference in the end.
“It was a really tight game,” Carver said.
The Wombats got plenty of drive from Sam Spedding, coach Tom Davies and Zac Cerrone in the midfield while new recruit Phil Carroll and Logan Demasi led the defence with strong games.
Nic Ryan also did well when he took over the ruck duties.
Girgarre coach Billy Barnes had praise for Lancaster but believes his side will take plenty out of the clash.
‘‘We had three players off the ground in the first term who didn’t return so we were up against it a bit,” Barnes said.
“But I was happy with how we fought it out and the efforts of some of our younger players. It was a good sign for the future.”
Key forward recruit Jacob McNicol (knee) and Sam Neil and Luke Whykes both with ankle injuries have anxious waits this week to find out the extent of their injuries.
Barnes played in defence and along with Tom Walsh at full-back kept the Lancaster forwards in check for most of the game.
New recruits Jordan Clarke and Byron Dryden also put in impressive debuts for their new club.
Clarke stood out in attack and kicked two goals while Dryden did well in the ruck.
Midfielders in Lachy Hill and Ash Hughes also provided a lot of drive for the losers on the day.
Girgarre should open its winning account this Saturday when it hosts Shane Crawford’s Ardmona.
●Merrigum kicked off the season with an eyebrow-raising demolition of 2019 grand finalist Tallygaroopna at Tally.
The Bulldogs overcame a slow start, erupting in the second quarter to kick nine goals before going on to smash the home side by 132 points.
Tally managed only one goal after quarter-time while the visitors slotted 23.
Only some shoddy forward work prevented Merrigum from a bigger win.
Jack Sinclair and Chris Burton with four goals each and Jordan Fitzsimmons with three finished off the work of Jacob Martin, Rhys Shannon, Jake Ross, Zak Parkinson, Mason Scopelitti and Dylan Fitzgerald who took right over after quarter-time.
Tally was disappointing with Sean Gledhill and Sean Arnold trying hard to inspire their teammates but with no success.
The win will have the Bulldogs primed for its clash at home with neighbour Lancaster this Saturday.
●Undera proved a bit too strong for Rushworth, pulling away after three-quarter-time to record a 48-point win at the finish.
Recruits in Dylan Moncur and Henry Wedding made impressive debuts for Undera while of the regulars Nic McAuliffe, Cody Tancred, Rhys McKenzie and Corey Turvey put in strong games.
New recruits Kieran Malone, who kicked three goals, and Jason Doyle turned in top games for Rushworth while Shaun Young, Tim Varigos, Wade Brown and Ed Bourke also made their presence felt at times.
It won’t get any easier for Rushworth this Saturday when it hosts Murchison-Toolamba while Undera faces Stanhope who had the bye in the opening round in what will be an interesting showdown.
●Murchison-Toolamba crushed Longwood in a merciless display which saw the Hoppers kick 39 goals to the home team’s one.
The combine opened with a 10-goal burst and did even better in the second quarter with 12 majors in the lopsided contest.
Alex Wells with 10 goals, Ash Cashion with eight, Jordan McGregor with seven and recruit James Ivill with five did as they pleased at the combine’s goalfront.
Another new recruit in Leighton Wellington made his presence felt while Aidan Lloyd also got plenty of the Sherrin.
●In the other games, Avenel finished strongly to account for reigning premier Nagambie by five points in a thriller at Avenel, Dookie United had the better of Shepparton East while the Shane Crawford-coached Ardmona suffered a big loss at the hands of expected big improvers Violet Town.
Violet Town takes on Avenel this Saturday in a match which should give a more accurate pointer to the value of expectations of both teams for this season.