Juniors kick off under lights
The clubs of the Warragul and District Junior Football League were eager to work out their pre-season jitters and finally impress with all the hard work they've put in over the break.
Opening the 2017 season with a night game saw dramatic contests under lights and in wet conditions.
The League congratulated all teams, parents and volunteers for a successful kick-off to the season.
Under 14
Both Yarragon and Warranor went head on for the ball, coming out strong and closing out the first quarter with only a goal difference between them.
Warranor pulled together and worked hard against a strong Yarragon defense, managing to come away with the pointsm, 12-9 (81) to 3-1 (19).
Jason Cox was congratulated on his 50 game milestone.
A slick surface made play difficult for the Cats and Hallora, battling out a close contest in the wet.
Both sides showed off some great ball movement, but the very determined Neerim side were undone by Hallora who were more efficient with the ball nd won 8-8 (56) to 6-4 (40).
The Warragul clash saw a slow start for both teams, struggling to move the ball out towards goals.
A solid performance from the Blues in the last quarter gave them the win, 3-9 (27) to 3-2 (20).
The game between Bunyip and Drouin was intense throughout the first half, but Bunyip's discipline and structure lead them through to victory, 7-7 (49) to 2-2 (14).
Garfield came out firing for their first game of the season, defeating Caldermeade 21-16 (142) to 0-0 (0).
Ellinbank prevailed after a strong fightback by the Jets in the second half, winning 13-11 (89) to 1-5 (11).
Under 12
Warranor's tremendous pressure was too much for Yarragon and they took the game, 95 (59) to 0-0 (0).
A young Colts side faced off against what was a dominant display from the opposing Warragul Blues, who put in to practice the skills they've honed during the break to win 1010 (70) to 1-0 (6).
A large crowd saw a gallant Hallora side clash with the Neerim District Cats, under lights.
A goal by the Cats early in the final term saw them take the win, 4-2 (26) to 3-1 (19).
Bunyip's captain Tahj Murphy set up the game for the Bulldogs side, swatting the hitouts well for the on-ballers who linked up the forwards to set up the win, 6-5 (41).
The Cobras were competitive and are amped for a quality season.
Garfield put their skills on display, moving the ball fast and easily around the ground to defeat Caldermeade 11-10 (76) to 0-0 (0).
The newer side at Ellinbank showed grit and determination in going down to the Jets 8-2 (50) to 1-3 (9).
The Bulls and Crows put on a spectacular performance to open the season, with Poowong-Loch missing out on the win by under a goal, 3-2 (20) to 2-3 (15).
Under 10
Warranor's pressure eventually secured them the win, 13-7 (85) to 0-0 (0).
The well fought contest saw the Blues coming out on top, defeating Colts 9-4 (58) to 0-0 (0).
Hallora regained momentum after the break and let their strong play win them the game in the end, defeating Neerim District 2-10 (22) to 1-1 (7).
The Cobras rallied in the last quarter to nearly stage an upset victory, only going down to Bunyip by a couple of goals, 4-3 (27) to 2-2 (14).
Caldermeade's early lead gave them the win over Garfield. 4-5 (29) to 1-1 (7).
A high intensity first quarter saw the Drouin Jets make up a decent lead over a hungry Ellinbank squad, winning 5-8 (38) to 0-1 (1).
Longwarry took the lead in the final term and managed to secure the game against Poowong-Loch by three points, 1-4 (10)to 1-1 (7).