The opening round of the 2015 EDFL season kicked off on an almost perfect day for football on Saturday. In the match of the day seven goals by Longwarry sharpshooter Semir Zijai was not enough to get the Crows across the line in their grand final re-match against Buln Buln. In a good team effort the 2014 East Division Premiers prevailed by 17 points and were well served by new recruit Tim Higgins, who played at Traralgon and last year in the Capricornia League in Queensland and along with youngster Harley Nobelius and tough utility Ben Virgona who all pitched in with three goals.
In a thriller Warragul Industrials pipped Neerim Neerim South by four points. The Dusties controlled play for a good deal of the first three quarters before the Cats surged late in the third and the start of the last to hit the front - only for the Dusties to kick the last three goals of the game. Inspirational Dusties captain Shane Brewster was again outstanding but amazingly his efforts were eclipsed by 2009 Alf Walton League best and fairest Chris Urie who was almost unstoppable with 8 goals in his return to the club.
The 2014 West Division premiers Koo Wee Rup opened the season with a 60 point victory over Catani. West Perth recruit and former junior star Shaun Marusic kicked four goals and there was a lot to like about Rian Healy a newcomer from Cranbourne and the classy midfield pair of Tim Miller and 2014 West division league best and fairest Luke Walker. For Catani tall Toora recruit Brendan Scammell made his presence felt as did Brayden Kennedy and diminutive NTFA recruit Dylan Williams on debut.
With a 12 goal second half Garfield extended a 19 point half time advantage into a commanding 68 point victory over Lang Lang. Queensland recruits Tyson and Dyson Payne, sons of Garfield legend Murray were both prominent as was gun recruit Justin Berry (5 goals) while 41 year old Lincoln Withers showed he still had something to offer on his return to club where he made his senior debut and played over 200 games.
Nilma Darnum kicked the sweep with 26 goals in a 122 point victory over Nyora. Former Longwarry junior Jason Wells, who has spent the last five seasons at Kilcunda-Bass returned the league where he played two senior games in 2009 with a bang bagging a dozen majors for the Bombers. Dylan Heylen and Garfield recruit Hayden Watson were the only multiple goal scorers for the Saints.
In a low scoring game Poowong achieved a 15 point win over Ellinbank. Emerging Magpie tall Tim Hancock displayed his talent and for the Eagles returning veteran defender Andrew Quirk was acknowledged their best player.
A six goal last quarter by Bunyip turned an 8 point deficit at the last change into a runaway 21 point victory. Bulldog stalwart Robbie Hughes was in thick of the action while for Nar Nar Goon Templestowe recruit Matthew Stevens kicked five. The dogs fielded former Beaconsfield star midfielder Kris Fletcher, half back Zac Vansittart in his first senior game since 2013, former Garfield half forward Dean Fitzgerald and with the return of Brad Wolfe and Shane Smith from Nilma can be very optimistic about the season.
Photo is the Buln Buln 2014 East Division Senior flag before its unfurling. From left to right are president Steve Symes, member Colin Gray and league president Roger Gwynne.
Last Modified on 11/04/2015 23:17