Saturday winners in the Peter Jackson VFL were Collingwood and Sandringham.
Both teams started strongly, but had to withstand final term challenges from Coburg and Essendon respectively to open the 2017 season with a win.
VFL fans were treated to a thriller in the first Channel 7 game of the season – in the new Saturday afternoon timeslot – as Coburg looked like causing an upset against a Magpie line up featuring 19 AFL listed players. The Lions hit the lead in the final term before Collingwood settled for the win. Sandringham dominated the first half to set up its win against Essendon.
See a full recap of the Saturday games below:
COLLINGWOOD 9.10 (64) d COBURG 9.8 (62)
Telling facts: Coburg recovered from a 26-point deficit at quarter time, to win the next three quarters, only to fall short by two points. Christian Burgess put Coburg in front for the first time in the game at the 22-minutre mark of the final term – one of four final term goals for the Lions - but defender Jordan Kelly quickly regained the Magpie lead minutes later, as Collingwood held on in the dying final minutes for a two-point win.
Leading goalkickers: Coburg – McEvoy, Mullane 2 / Collingwood – De Goey 3, Daicos, Mayne 2
Next up: Rd 2 – Box Hill Hawks v Coburg / Essendon v Collingwood
CLICK HERE for play-by-play scores from the game
SANDRINGHAM 11.12 (78) d ESSENDON 10.11 (71)
Telling facts: Darren Minchington (28 disposals) was the difference in the first half, kicking three of his four goals before half time to help the Zebras to a 34-point lead. The home team restricted Essendon to just one goal in the first half, before holding off a fast finishing Bombers’ side, as the visitors kicked seven of the last 11 goals in the game to fall short by seven points.
Leading goalkickers: Sandringham – Minchington 4, McCartin, Marshall, Wright 2 / Essendon – McKernan, J.Merrett 2
Next up: Rd 2 - Sandringham v Richmond / Essendon v Collingwood
CLICK HERE for play-by-play scores from the game
In other Round 1 games:
Box Hill Hawks def Footscray
Port Melbourne def Northern Blues
Round 1 continues on Sunday, as Richmond plays North Ballarat at Punt Road Oval while Werribee and Geelong meet in Torquay. CLICK HERE to read about the traveling Tigers in 2017.
Rounding out the Easter long weekend will be Williamstown and Casey at Burbank Oval on Easter Monday - live on Casey Radio.
CLICK HERE for Season Preview of each club
CLICK HERE for Round 1 teams
Last Modified on 15/04/2017 18:14