Natimuk United enjoys flying start
Natimuk United will eye off Jeparitrainbow in a round two-clash in Horsham District football league after producing one of its best starts to the season in many years.
The Rams, who jumped out of the box with a comprehensive win over Rupanyup on Saturday, have back-to-back wins in an initial wish list and are scheduled to take on the Storm at Natimuk on April 22.
A new-look Natimuk United, led by mercurial nine-goal forward Nathan Koenig, jumped to almost a five-goal lead with the aid of strong first-quarter wind and were then never in doubt of securing the points.
The Rams appeared sharp and dangerous with new coach Sam Anson prominent, especially through the defensive spine and others such as Alex Ridsdale, Jordan Smith and Callum Cameron winning plenty of the ball as well as accolades.
Rupanyup was competitive for much of the contest but struggled to force the ball beyond half forward.
Hugh Mcmurtrie was busy and fellow newcomer Jack Musgrove lived up to his goalkicking reputation by kicking five.
Others to win best-player honours included Daniel Launer, Tyler May and Scott Niewand.
South-western force Harrow-balmoral scored one of the biggest wins of the round, belting contemporary rival Kalkee by more than 20 goals.
The contest at Harrow proved a major missmatch with the home side extending a 28-point quarter-time lead to 104 by half time.
The 12-goal second term expanded to a 136-point rout, which had the Southern Roos beaming in expectation of a round-two clash against Pimpinio and the Kees pondering their chances against Edenhope-apsley.
Nick Pekin shone for his new club in the win, as did Sam Brewer, Hamish Ellis, Greg Hamilton and Luke Merryfull.
For the Kees, best–player honours went to Jasper Gunn and coach Hamish Exell.
Sizable victories
Big wins were also the order of the day at other grounds with Edenhope-apsley hitting the final siren against Noradjuha-quantong 83 points ahead.
The game at Edenhope was relatively even early before the home side upped the ante and kicked away with a 10-goal second half.
All eyes were on forward Steve Butler who bagged eight goals for the winners while Jason Rae, Bernard Kealy and Corey Williams also captured attention. George Walker also kicked five goals.
For the Bombers, Jason Kerr, Tyler Bye and James Gregg flew the flag.
Noradjuha-quantong will now prepare for another encounter, this time against Southern Mallee Giants.
The Giants, reigning premiers, was part of one of the closer games of the round, beating Mallee rival Jeparit-rainbow by 50 points.
The Giants found themselves more than four goals in arrears at quarter time but through the likes of Leith Stewart, Brock Orval, four goals, Rory Shannon and Jackson Fisher, pegged back the margin.
Talented newcomer Shane Maslin performed strongly in his first appearance for the Storm and Heath and Ash Clugston were also good.
Intentions
Swifts signaled their intentions for the season with a 117-point victory over Taylors Lake.
The Baggies kicked away in the second quarter at Dock Lake Reserve and continued to put the foot down through players such as Jake Goodes, Zach Armer and Paul Carson.
Armer, five goals, and Andrew Cameron, seven, were primary beneficiaries of the big win.
The Lakers were game at times and kicked four goals in the third term with Jack Mcrae, Addison Milner and Matthew Mcculloch best players.
Laharum opened its season with a win, overwhelming Pimpinio to the tune of 121 points at Laharum.
Daniel Griffiths kicked seven goals and Trent Woolman five in the win while joint coaches Todd Heynen and Robbie Miller shone in the victory.
The Tigers couldn’t come back from an eightgoal second-quarter onslaught, although Brodie Mines, James Clifford and Angus Gilsenan won accolades for their efforts.
Pimpinio has to front up against Harrowbalmoral and Laharum travels to Stawell to play Swifts in round-two action after Easter.