A brilliant burst of seven goals in 13 minutes before half time set the Geelong Falcons up for a comfortable win against the North Ballarat Rebels in their TAC Cup game at Bendigo on Sunday.
A number of new players and several experienced players unavailable gave the Rebels a new look for the start of the new season.
The Rebels capitalized on Jordan Rougheads ruck work at centre bounces and were rewarded with two clever snapped goals by Ryan McKenzie in the opening minutes of the game.
Geelong at full strength replied, assisted by some poor disposal by North Ballarat but a late goal to Lachlan Hamilton had the scores almost even at the first change.
Bryn Weadon, Oliver Tate and Josh Free came into the game as Andrew Hooper and Josh Cowen goaled but then the Falcons took complete control in the air and at ground level with seven goal burst in the last half of the second quarter.
The Rebels coaching staff encouraged their players to stick with the basics of the game and to their credit fought back well to kick the first five goals in the third term.
Angus Grigg and Lachlan Delahunty gave the Rebels targets up forward and assisted by Roughead and Hamilton put pressure on the Falcons defence and it was only two late replies by Geelong that gave them a comfortable buffer at the last change.
Three majors to Geelong put the game beyond the Rebels reach but to their credit they never gave up as Weadon snapped truly and two more to Roughead while resting up forward topped off a strong first up game for him.
The experience of a game at this level and the return of a number of last years players will give the coaches and players plenty to work with for next weeks clash with the Bendigo Pioneers at AUSTAR Arena on Saturday at 3.20pm
Geelong Falcons 19.13 (127) Defeated North Ballarat Rebels 13.10 (88)
Best. Jordan Roughead, Ryan McKenzie, Bryn Weadon, Oliver Tate, Josh Free, Lachlan Delahunty.
Goals. Jordan Roughead 3, Lachlan Delahunty 2, Lachlan Hamilton 2, Ryan McKenzie 2, Josh Cowen 1, Angus Grigg 1, Andrew Hooper 1, Bryn Weadon 1
Last Modified on 08/02/2009 14:41