In the opening Saturday games of the season wins went the way of Box Hill Hawks, Williamstown and Coburg.
Box Hill turned the tables of the Bulldogs for the premiership defeat, overcoming a slow but accurate first half to overrun their opponents seven goals to two in the second half.
Coburg too used the second half to run away from former aligned partner Richmond, while Williamstown held on against a fast finishing Norther Blues to record a 1-point win.
AT A GLANCE:
BOX HILL HAWK d FOOTSCRAY
Final margin: 13 points
Telling fact: Footscray led by 19 points midway through the second quarter before Box Hill Hawks kicked six of the next seven goals to lead by 15 points, 30 seconds into the final term.
Leading stats:
Box Hill Hawks: O'Donnell 24, Mirra 22 (+ 15 marks), Simpkin 21, Crocker 19
Footscray: Hunter 25, Smith 24, Russell 21, Greenwood 20, Dale 19
Major goal kicker: Grimley (Box Hill Hawks) 4 / Redpath (Footscray) 2
COBURG d RICHMOND
Margin: 15 points
Telling fact: It was a goal for goal shoot out in the first term, with nine goals kicked. A four goal unanswered third term set up the win for Coburg. Former Calder Cannons Josh Cauchi kicked three goals on debut, two in the final term.
Leading stats:
Coburg: Uysal 32, Morton 29, Venditti 25
Richmond: (after 1/4 time) Cachia 21, Lennon 17, Thomas 16, Castagna 15
Leading goal kicker: Younan, Cauchi (Coburg) 3 / Vickery (Richmond) 3
WILLIAMSTOWN d NORTHERN BLUES
Margin: 1 point
Telling fact: Northern Blues were slow to start but answered Williamstown two opening goals with four of their own to over an 18 point lead in the second term. Williamstown kicked five of the next six goals to lead by five points at half time. The Seaguls led by 14 points in the final term before two late goals to the Blues saw then almost snatch victory.
Leading stats:
Northern Blues: Whiley 28, Graham 27, McGuiness 26, Wilson 25
Major goal kicker: Dunnell (Williamstown) 2 / Tutt (Northern Blues) 3
FRIDAY NIGHT
GEELONG d WERRIBEE
Margin: 18 points
Telling facts: The Cats proved decisive in the battle of the big men, with rucks Hamish McIntosh and Dawson Simpson winning their contest over Dan Currie and Majak Daw 63 hitouts to 45. Former Bendigo Gold player Matt Farrelly made a solid Cats debut with 15 disposals and was named best for the home side.
Leading stats:
Geelong – Gore 25, Ruggles 23, Blease 21 J.Kolodjashnij 17
Werribee – Crichton 34, Conway 25, Bolton 22, Hanson 22
Leading goal kickers: Read 3 (Geelong) / Iles, Conway (Werribee) 2
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Last Modified on 20/04/2015 14:45