Round 1 opened with overcast skies at Gore Hill Oval, but three games of footy to open the season were in order.
First up was the Under 18s. The young Bombers were on the back foot early as the Lions scored two goals in the opening five minutes. But as the quarter progressed, the Bombers got their running game going, hitting the lead late in the quarter to record an 8-point lead at the first change.
The Bombers started brightly in the second quarter, but some poor finishing let them down. 4.3 became 4.10 as several chances sailed wide, but once the first goal of the quarter finally went through there were two more quick ones to follow. The Lions were trying hard to stay with the Bombers, but the Bombers held a 20-point lead at the long break.
The floodgates opened in the third term, as the Bombers assumed complete control. A return of 8.2 for the quarter, while holding the Lions scoreless, saw the lead balloon out to 70 points at the last change. And it continued in the last term, as the relentless Bombers took command of proceedings. The second half performance, in which they blew the margin out to 103 points while holding the Lions to a solitary point, was a reflection of their dominance.
The first quarter of the First Division match was a scrappy affair, with the Lions holding a 3-point lead over the inaccurate Bombers at the first change. The second quarter was similar, the Bombers being marginally better around the ground but letting themselves down with some missed shots at goal. It was North Shore by 5 points at the long break.
The local junior teams held a sign-up session during our First Division match, leading to the biggest crowd seen at Gore Hill for many a season; and we look forward to the development of the next generation of Bombers. But our current reserves team were looking good during the third term, a run of four goals in five minutes threatening to blow the game away. But the Lions fought back with some late goals, and the game was still very much in the balance at the last change with North Shore leading by 12 points.
Two early goals in the final quarter made the game safe; and although the game never reached any great heights it was pleasing to get a first up win for our First Division side, with the game providing a solid hit-out to start the season. The final winning margin was 13 points.
Lachlan Clancy got the Premier Division match off to a flying start with a goal in the first minute, but the Lions were tough nuts to crack early. Although the Bombers remained in front throughout the first quarter, they were never allowed to string goals together and led by 4 points at the fist change.
The Bombers lifted in the second term, and the tide began to turn their way. Highlights of the quarter included a 60 metre torp from Daniel Roberts, one of four goals he kicked in the first half; a great snap on a tight angle by Pat Codling and some typical pace from Ben Attwood. At half time, the Bombers were 38 points in front.
Pat Brackin played on to goal in the opening minute of the third term. The Bombers did some great unselfish play to score some early goals, Pat Codling setting up Danny Roberts and Dave Martin setting up Teddy Strudwick. The Bombers looked like they could run away, but Wollongong hung in there and refused to let the Bombers totally dominate. But with a 55-point lead at three-quarter time, the Bombers were well placed.
Woth the game safely won, and a long season ahead, the Bombers were content to put their cue in the rack and play out time in the last quarter. The Lions won the quarter, but the game finished comfortably for the Bombers with a 42-point victory; a conclusion of a highly satisfactory afternoon at Gore Hill with the Bombers prevailing in every grade played at our home ground.
But it was a tough initiation for our Third Division team. Taking on the seniors of Saints AFC with just a few days' notice, the thirds were given a hard workout and were well beaten by 114 points.
Last Modified on 16/12/2011 20:10