What a fantastic start for the Cats from Mooroopna who won all 7 games against the Euroa Magpies with the footy teams winning by an aggregate of 75 goals - that is Big! Well done to Echuca, the Shepparton Swans and Shepp United who also won 6 out of their 7 games. The George HUNTER Champion Club cup is a very valued award and these early wins by all grades are so important. A great part of footy is that there is always next week!
The season kicked off on Good Friday with the Under 18's commencing at 3pm at Kyabram and Deakin Reserve in Shepparton. From all reports Kyabram hosted another very big crowd and it appears supporters over the Ky and Rochester way certainly approve of footy on Good Friday. The Tigers repeated a night time repeat of last year when they defeated Ky. by 20 points after being down by just 5 points at 3/4 time. Elliott BOWEN kicked 5, Perry OLIVER 4 and both these big lads were named best for the Tigers. An excellent return to his home club by Kayne PETTIFER who kicked 5 and will certainly improve with each game after his injuries. It appears Ky have unleashed a very handy recruit in the form of Simon SEDDON from the Northern Territory. The game at Deakin Reserve is still being spoken about after a fiery first half and an almost 40 minute second quarter after reports and an actual head count. It will be alleged that the Swans had 18 men on the field when by rights they should have had only 17 as did Shepparton when a player from both teams had been reported and yellow carded for striking each other. This and two other matters arising from the senior game are currently being investigated by an accredited V.C.F.L. Investigations Officer. At the time of the head-count the Shepparton Swans were 9.7 (61) to Shepparton 6.9 (45) - at half time the fantastic new electronic score board took away the Swans score to show them as zero but their half time score was returned after consultation of the V.C.F.L. 2010 Handbook. In the second half Shepparton kicked 4 goals 7 to the Swans 9 goals 12. The final score showed the Swans winning by 7 goals 1 point - 18.19 (127) to 11.18 (84) Melbourne recruits Russell ROBERTSON kicked 7 Robbo goals, Adem YZE and Nathan BROWN each kicked one and were both very good players as was Robbo. The Shepparton Bears were very gallant and when they get their full side together they will enjoy some good wins. Rhys O'SULLIVAN was an excellent leader and Bears supporters would be thrilled with seeing Marc LORD fully fit after missing all of last year. The Murray Bombers up at Echuca defeated the Seymour Lions by 30 points despite the Lions being up by 7 points at half time. Matt POLLOCK kicked 5 for Echuca with returnee Kristian HEIGHT and recruit Chris EGAN both slotting 3. Interesting to note that Port Adelaide and ex Myrtleford player Brad MURRAY was named in the best for Echuca. Seymour youngsters Jake LORRAINE and Jason COLE were the Lions best along with the COLBERT brothers. Shepparton United were very good up at Mansfield but cannot get carried away with themselves because really the Eagles were pretty disappointing. The Demons can look forward to a much improved season with the Hulk Jason EAGLE bagging 9 majors and Redland team-mate via Nathalia Matt DAVIES popping 4 through the big sticks. Sam DAWES back from the New South Wales coast looked to be bigger and perhaps better than when he left. The Demons have plenty to be excited about with the Reserves also having a very impressive win. Mooroopna must have been very good on the home turf as they had a 131 point win over Euroa. Craig WHELAN kicked 9 goals 1 behind with coach Brad CAMPBELL slotting 5 and Tongala recruit Jordon SOUTER kicking 3 in his debut GV game. Jordon is a son of Tongala & GVFL great Mick SOUTER and it has been tipped this young bloke could have a great future. The Maggies were best served by veteran Matt MILLS who kicked 3 and was named in the best along with Harold SLEIGH and Hayden BUCKLEY. Tatura played Benalla under the lights at the Rose City to win by just 9 points - observers at the game were very impressed by 16 year old Lachlan Van SHAIK from the Benalla Saints who along with another junior Sam ALEXANDER took on the Bulldogs Tim LITTLE and Paul KIRBY and from all reports did very well.
This week, Round 2, lets hope that we do not have any controversy and can have a worry free week leading up to the split round for Round 3 over two week-ends. In reality all games this week-end could go either way. There is no lay down misiere dead cert winner but your tipster enjoys having a dip so here goes. (Got 5 winners first round, Ky bombed out to Rochy) Seymour will take it right up to the Cats but Mooroopna should be in front come final siren time. Swans v Echuca ? Because the game is as Princess Park and because the Swans are up and about, the Swans by a couple of goals. Rochester to bowl Shepp over going on the Tiger's good start to the season and plus on their home ground. Tatura because of the fright the Benalla Saints gave them last week should defeat Mansfield who will be still missing a few of last years guns. Shepp United should account for Kyabram under the lights at Deakin Reserve on Saturday with the Under 18's to start at 3pm, the Reserves at 5pm and the Seniors at 7pm. Round 2 will conclude on Sunday when the Euroa Magpies host Benalla at the Memorial Oval. This could be the match of the round and perhaps have the closest result. Information received indicates that Benalla had 5 youngsters play last week who are still eligible for the Under 18 and with the kids they nearly upset Tat. so on that form your tipster selects Benalla to get the 4 points.
Good luck to all players - lets hope there are no serious injuries and that the games are played in good conditions and in good spirits
Last Modified on 26/07/2010 20:38