Above: Bunyip recruit Ryan Ablett slides in to take a chest mark during his debut for the Bulldogs on the weekend.By Ken Moore
THE opening round of the new season reinforced that Longwarry, who took big steps last season by finishing third, will take a power of beating in 2006.
While Nyora proved it will also be one of the main contenders, on Sunday Cora Lynn added spice to the season by upsetting Bunyip.
Spurred on by three firstquarter goals by Glen Browney, Longwarry opened up a decisive break and built upon it over the ensuing quarters to crush Warragul Industrials by 100 points.
In a superb team effort the Crows awarded fleetfooted wingman Blair Weller the bestonground honours and, with top performances by Buln Buln recruit Tim Milner, Tye Holland and Matt Campbell, the Crows dominated the midfield.
Assistant coach Grant McDonald and ruckman Mick Bourke added vigour around the packs and newcomers Jason Voumard, Tim Zeigler and central defender player Dean Dallinger impressed.
The Dusties fell away badly in the second half but were well served by new captaincoach Steve Pursell, who notched five goals.
Young centre halfback Brad Gallagher never let up, Andrew Davidson performed solidly on Browney after quartertime and ruckman Gerard Bongiorno made his presence felt.
In the grand final replay Nyora controlled proceedings from the first bounce to record a 31point victory over last season’s premiers Catani.
With first use of the wind Nyora jumped Catani to lead by five goals at quartertime.
The Blues made a serious challenge late in the second quarter to get within 10 points at the main break but the Saints held sway from then on.
Midfielders Brendan Hislop, Matt Hutchinson, Ben Hallas, small ruckman Matt Hendry and tough defender Steve Svaganovic played key roles in a good team effort.
Catani captaincoach Paul Alger did his utmost to keep his side in the game but the Blues had too many bystanders.
Ellinbank held on to record a threepoint victory over Nar Nar Goon.
Down by 40 points at the last change, the Goon stormed home and had plenty of good signs to emerge with strong performances by its young brigade of Matt Wade, Ben Keane, Phil Hicks and Spencer Noonan.
Matt Keane popped through five goals and David Hoy at centre halfback and Allan McArthur played their positions well.
For the Bankers Neil Parke and Michael Masterton provided stout resistance, wingman Luke Bond shone and Drouin recruit Adam Weeding won his fair share of the ball.
Kooweerup kicked the sweep and overpowered NilmaDarnum by 120 points.
The Bombers allowed classy midfielders Peter Doll, Scott Morrison and Chris Stanley too much time and space and Rhys Morgan with six goals gave his team a great target.
Young wingman Gavin Marusic read the play well and impressed on debut.
For NilmaDarnum, captaincoach Adrian Carr put in an honest fourquarter effort and DWWWW recruit Terry Griffiths toiled well in the ruck.
Fifteenyearold Rhett O’Hara stamped himself as a player of the future with many handy possessions.
Buln Buln cantered to a 60point victory over Lang Lang.
The Tigers could only manage one goal after quartertime.
The Lyrebirds had a good spread of contributors, led by centre halfforward Michael Baker and midfielders Mick Pratt and Luke Nobelius.
Youngster Mitch Nobelius came under notice with three goals and Dave Worrell did well to blanket Tiger gun Kurt Batt.
Lang Lang badly disappointed.
Ruckman Adrian Slater and his teammate at Cranbourne last season Kristian Fredrickson across the halfback line and the performance of midfielder Adam Baxter were perhaps the only highlights for the Tigers.
Six goals by Luke James propelled Poowong to victory over NeerimNeerim South.
After an even first half the Magpies skipped ahead with a five goalstoone third term and held on comfortably in the last term.
Clint and Jess Attenborough, Chris Wilson and David Miller were all involved in a great deal of the action.
For NeerimNeerim South, Paul Whelan and Chris Urie slotted home three goals each.
Ruckman Damien Rhind gave a good account of himself and centreman Ryan Muir provided good drive.
Youngster Tyson Morrow, in only his second senior game, finished the match well and looked to have a bright future.
In front of a large Sunday crowd a new look Cora Lynn defeated Bunyip by 41 points.
The Cobras could not have been any more impressive.
The game was up for grabs at three quarter time when Cora Lynn led by 17 points but the Cobras that came home strongly with a seven goalstothree final term.
Cora Lynn recruits Ben and David Collins, Wayne Robertson, Abe Roder, Lee Dowsett and Scott Black all impressed across midfield and up forward.
Chad Ingram, Ben Spencer and Simon Van Dam also provided good drive.
The match was evenly poised until late in the second quarter, when Cora Lynn rammed on five consecutive goals, but Bunyip hit back just before the last break to keep the game alive.
Bunyip won plenty of possessions and shared the midfield honours, but often let itself down when it entered its forward 50metre zone with poor disposal that gave its forwards little chance.
Bunyip’s defenders Daniel Hagen, Andrew Hobday, Michael Whyte and Mark Hoult were the pick of the Bulldogs, while newcomer Troy Holmes did plenty of hard work through the midfield.
Assistant coach Ryan Ablett finished the game well with three lastquarter goals but was well held by Jeremy Duiker for most of the match.
