Bulldogs downed by Giants
It was the second week of round one this week, with four matches featured as the rest of the competition looked to begin their season in the best possible fashion.
Bunyip vs Korumburra-Bena
Bunyip opened their season with a tight loss against Korumburra-Bena.
The Bulldogs, who saw a lot of turbulence in what had been a difficult off-season, played a highly competitive, if a little untidy, match against the Giants but were unable to get the win.
The margin was tight for practically the whole match, but in the end the Bulldogs were brought undone 7.9 (51) to 9.8 (62).
Connor Steel and Alex Dijkstra were the main weapons up forward, kicking four and three goals respectively to be the Bulldogs' only two goalkickers for the day.
Dijkstra in particular was a standout, throwing his body on the line for much of the day, while Adam and Daniel Banks gave similarly strong efforts around the ground.
In a match between two sides that aren't expected to challenge for finals this season, both were clearly chomping at the bit for a round one win.
Play wasn't exactly skilful, but desire was high.
Although Bunyip were able to keep the margin close, however, they just weren't able to peg back the lead.
The Bulldogs trailed at every change, with the Giants' advantage always appearing gettable but just out of reach.
Byron Walker kicked three for the Giants, who were well-serviced by strong performances from Jay and Zach Walker, as well as Tyson Findlay and Joel Cuman.
The wooden spooners of 2022, Korumburra-Bena will no doubt be delighted to have claimed a win first up this season.
Bunyip will next face off against local rivals Garfield in what promises to be a match with plenty on the line.
Garfield vs Cora Lynn
Garfield showed great improvement on Saturday but were unable to finish the job against Cora Lynn, going down 11.4 (70) to 14.11 (95).
Coming off a challenging 2022 that saw them capture just one win and playing away against a side that many have as a lock for finals football, not many would have given the Stars a chance.
But if this match is anything to go by, this year might just be very different for the green and gold.
The Stars were full of heart and endeavour, and even led the match by three points going into the final term, only to be overwhelmed by a five-goals-to-one Cobras onslaught.
Jack Tenace-Greenall displayed signs he may be ready to take the next step in his career as he booted five goals, while recruit Mark Griffiths was tenacious in his attack on the ball.
For the Cobras, who appeared a little shocked at times at just how much resistance they were experiencing, Nathan Gardiner booted six goals while recruit Nathan Gillis showed his best to get them out of a hole.
Following a relatively even first term, the Cobras utilised a five-goal-to-two second term to push their advantage out to 19 points.
But where the Garfield of last year may have faded away badly, this year's edition were up for the fight.
The Stars dominated around the contest, keeping the Cobras' chances to a minimum as they kicked 4.1 to 0.3 to hold a slender lead at the final change of ends.
In the end though, the Cobras' vast wealth of experience won out, as they reasserted themselves at the coalface and kicked away to record their first win of the year.
The Stars will take plenty out of their performance, and it makes next week's clash against Bunyip all the more intriguing.
For Cora Lynn, they'll happily bank the four points, having now put their season opener defeat behind them, and will look to next week's match against Korumburra-Bena as a real opportunity to win two in a row. Tooradin-Dalmore vs Kilcunda Bass Tooradin-Dalmore have eased their way to a second win of the year, this time over Kilcunda Bass.
The reigning premiers put in the hard work early and eased themselves to victory late in the 13.8 (86) to 9.11 (65) win.
Former Williamstown VFL player Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds had the ball on a string for the Seagulls, managing to sneak forward for two goals to complement his game.
Stewart Scanlon and Julian Suarez booted four and three goals respectively to round out the scoreboard.
An eight-goal-to-two first half made the gulf between the sides evident. But, to the Panthers' credit, they stuck fat and fought in the second half, managing to outscore the Seagulls by 14 points to save themselves from a sizeable defeat.
Anthony Dario and former Wonthaggi player Lochlan Scott topped the scorers for Kilcunda Bass, kicking two goals each.
Dalyston vs Koo wee rup
Koo wee rup have flexed their muscles first up, destroying a hapless Dalyston to begin their season in style.
The Demons were utterly dominant throughout the match, dispatching the Magpies 16.12 (108) to 2.8 (20) in a rare Saturday night game.
And, in a cruel twist of fate for Dalyston, it was two of their ex-players doing the damage. The Amin brothers, Musa and Adam, enjoyed great debuts in the red and blue. Musa did his work around the ground, while Adam kicked three goals to form what the club hopes will be a starring partnership with Jason Wells, who kicked five.
Matthew Voss and Bailey Galante also flourished as the Demons booted 5.5 to nothing in the first term to open a significant gap that never even looked like being threatened.
Dalyson's better players included Michael Alexander, Joe Alexander and Brandon Monson, but early indications are the club will be in for yet another long season.