Bombers break the drought
Nilma-Darnum had reason to celebrate in style, crushing a struggling Nyora to win its first senior game in 39 attempts.
While all could point to a long season for the Saints, the Bombers looked impressive enough to suggest they will trouble some sides as they scored consistently across the four quarters to win 25-10 (160) to 2-4 (16).
Nyora entered the contest without its prized signing Onur Akbas, the former Essendon District and VAFA midfielder sustaining a bicep injury likely to have him miss the season.
There would be little joy for Nyora as the Bombers regularly won clearance and hit targets with smart kicking.
A strong zone defence and pressure ensured Nilma-Darnum would keep the ball forward, as Oxley Huson put through the opening goal before Thomas Young converted from a 50-metre penalty.
A sensational finish from Jono Hewitt on the run pressed up against the boundary at half forward answered the opening two goals from the Bombers.
But from there it was a procession as the Saints struggled to get the ball deeper than centre half forward, Nilma-Darnum well and truly killing the contest with the next 17 goals to enter the final change with a 115-point advantage.
The addition of Luke James to the line up made a difference, the experienced forward with 987 career goals marking everything that came his way to finish with three first half goals.
Perhaps the best of these came in a packed goal square in the first term as Sage Tapner raucously celebrated only for his long shot to drop at the last minute.
When James left the field with an injury, the Bombers found other ways to score as the likes of Lucas Maffei (six goals) and Thomas Young (three majors) regularly drifted into space or found room on the lead.
Ben Campbell was also prominent in his return to the club, other prominent players being Tapner, Rickie Crockett, Huson, Nick Carrigy and Patrick Oyee.
Battling against the odds for the Saints were Lucas Lee, Charlie Moller, Luke Forscutt, Jordan Anderson, Hewitt and Blake Boyd.
Lee finally broke the deadlock for the Saints in the final term, but the procession continued as the Bombers finished with another six on the way to finishing with 12 goal scorers.