Reigning premier Murchison-Toolamba has sent out an early threat to any potential challengers, flexing its muscle once again in a 22.15 (147) to 5.5 (35) demolition of Girgarre at Murchison Recreation Reserve.
The Hoppers’ 112-point smashing was spearheaded by reigning McNamara medallist James Milne, who was named best-on-ground as Murch kick-started its premiership defence in style.
But the reigning premier won’t take top spot after round one, with that honour falling the way of Shepparton East after last season’s runner-up sent out a friendly reminder that it hasn’t gone anywhere.
Keeping Undera goalless to half-time and to three goals for the entire contest, the Eagles slotted 23.18 themselves in the 156-23 rout at Undera Recreation Reserve.
Jordan Gattuso and Jake Sutherland each kicked five goals for the visitors, with Gattuso named best-on-ground, ahead of Ryan Pfeiffer, Jamie Spencer, Jayden Dhosi, Lachie Keady and Mitchell Heggart.
Russell Sheriff was valiant for Undera, as were Alex Hywood (two goals) and Jye Fitzsimmons (one goal), the only Lions to trouble the scorers.
Lancaster is also out for redemption in 2025, having gone down by a solitary point in last year’s preliminary final, and put together a strong showing to defeat Merrigum at Merrigum Recreation Reserve.
The Wombats led from the jump, turning a 20-point half-time margin into an eventual 14.15 (99) to 6.6 (42) victory, with Adam Lovison leading the way as Lancaster’s best.
Cameron Simpson kicked a bag of five to be included among the most influential, while Daniel Foley, Shannon Fleming, Thomas Davies and Matthew Fleming were also among the votes.
Zaid Besim, Declan Hallett and Morrie Serra each slotted two majors in the win, with Foley, Callum Leocata and Nicholas Ryan rounding out the goal-kickers for the victors, while Bulldogs skipper Zak Parkinson led from the front alongside Darcy Collins (three goals) for Merrigum.
Nagambie has also announced itself as a threat with a big round one win, comfortably accounting for Violet Town by 50 points at Nagambie Recreation Reserve.
It wouldn’t have felt comfortable at all at quarter-time, however, with the Lakers two points in arrears before unleashing an eight-goal burst to blow the game open by half-time.
Tom Barnes was Nagambie’s best in the 17.12 (114) to 9.10 (64) win, with Liam Hockley booting a game-high four goals, while Patrick Horsburgh was named best-on for the Towners as they look to climb up the ladder in 2025 under Brad Gleeson.
While there were a few blowouts to get the season under way, there were also a couple of thrillers, with Avenel edging out Longwood 12.12 (84) to 10.14 (74) at Avenel Recreation Reserve.
The Swans enjoyed a one-goal advantage at the first break, which was wiped out as Longwood came back to tie things up at 6.6 (42) by half-time.
Avenel again jumped out to a lead in the third term and while Longwood was valiant in the final term, it managed just 2.5 to the home side’s 2.1, falling 10 points short.
Recruit Joshua Webster booted three goals for the Swans, while skipper Jack Myers was deemed most influential for the home side.
Stanhope and Tallygaroopna found themselves in a similarly tight encounter, with the Lions weathering a strong comeback surge from the home side to emerge 14.5 (89) to 12.8 (80) victors.
Playing at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve, Stanhope doubled its 12-point quarter-time lead to enjoy a 55-31 advantage at half-time and, while it looked to have put the game to bed with a five-goal-to-four third term, the home side had other ideas.
Keeping the Lions goalless in the final quarter, Tallygaroopna kicked 3.3 to draw within nine points of victory, however, left itself too tall a task, the siren sounding before it was able to run over the top.
Stanhope’s Jonathan Pearson joined a host of other forwards in the league with five goals in the opening round, with Dylan Macfarlane spearheading the home side’s charge with four of his own.
Rushworth, which had the bye in round one, will kick its season off against Avenel this weekend.
A pair of contests will be played on Sunday, as Violet Town hosts Undera and Stanhope takes on Murchison-Toolamba at home.
Netball
On the court, it was a similar case of 2024’s top sides establishing themselves early, with Girgarre’s A-grade side putting its hand up as the team to beat yet again.
The Kangaroos completed a 70-20 shellacking of Murchison-Toolamba in the opening-round contest, with Allana Adams named best-on-court in the win.
Last season’s runner-up Lancaster proved too good for Merrigum with a comfortable 43-27 win, while Shepparton East flexed its muscles in a 72-18 thumping of Undera.
Violet Town got the edge over Nagambie in a 46-42 thriller to hand Jessie Kipping her first win in charge of the Towners, while Georgia Velt also secured the four points in her first game at the helm of Avenel, the Swans beating Longwood 61-35.
Tallygaroopna and Stanhope closed out the round one matches with the Redlegs emerging victorious, the final score being 36-27.
10°C