The first Sunday of the 2017 Peter Jackson VFL season saw wins to Richmond and Geelong in contrasting games.
The Tigers comprehensively accounted for North Ballarat to the tune of 188 points while the Cats prevailed in a tight tussle with Werribee by 25 points.
Previously in Round 1, Port Melbourne defeated the Northern Blues last week, the Box Hill Hawks knocked off reigning premier Footscray on Good Friday and Sandringham and Collingwood registered their first wins yesterday.
The opening round’s final match takes place at Burbank Oval from 2pm on Monday when Williamstown meets the Casey Demons – broadcast live on Casey Radio. CLICK HERE to see the teams.
RICHMOND 33.21 (219) d NORTH BALLARAT 4.7 (31)
The Tigers were dominant throughout the contest at Punt Road Oval, kicking seven goals or more in each quarter to start off the 2017 season with a percentage of 706.4. Richmond boasted 13 individual goalkickers as North Ballarat struggled to stop a team containing 14 AFL-listed players from scoring.
Leading goalkickers: Lennon 6, Townsend 5, Lloyd 5, Ballard 3, Stengle 3, Miles 2, Soldo 2, Aarts 2 (Richmond) / Hooper 2 (North Ballarat)
Next up: Sandringham vs Richmond / Casey Demons vs North Ballarat
GEELONG 14.16 (100) d WERRIBEE 10.15 (75)
The Cats got the best of a final-term shoot-out – booting seven goals to six – to hold off Werribee at Spring Creek Reserve in Torquay. The Tigers controlled much of the play early but went into the main break 13 points down due to inaccuracy in front of goal (2.14 in the first half). Two majors to Esava Ratugolea to start the last quarter looked to have sealed the game for Geelong, but Werribee fought on to make the victors earn it.
Leading goalkickers: Ratugolea 3, Hayball 2 (Geelong) / Clarke 4, Augerinos 2 (Werribee)
Next up: Geelong vs Port Melbourne / Werribee vs Footscray
* CLICK HERE for full round results
* CLICK HERE for the updated ladder
* Photo: Arj Giese
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SEASON PREVIEW: Club by club
Last Modified on 16/04/2017 19:09
