It was hot.
In weather conditions far more conducive to a day at the beach, than slogging it out against last years Goulburn Valley runners up Shepparton Swans - it was with sweat bands, spare jocks and Gatorades that the boys jumped in their cars and headed down the dry and dusty Hume Highway.
The early game kicked off 11:30am - the boys looking eager to get into the first scrap of a new year. Well Hoffy did anyway.
The two's, buoyed with some Senior players in the ranks, such as Tim "Woolly" Watson and Brent "Magoo's?!?" Gutterson ran out full of
confidence and with good reason. Hoff's Hero's looked the goods from start to finish and were far too strong for the boys from Shepparton, in the end
they ran out a comfortable 15 goal win.
Then it was the senior teams turn, those present would have had a hard time recognising nearly anyone, it seems we've gone from the Monty midgets
to Land of the Giants in the off season.
New recruits King, Hussey, Fitzgerald, McGough - all have some decent size.
The ball was bounced as the temperature gauge hit 38 degrees - and Mont went straight into action - it was the new recruits that made an early impression a King knock down to Santoro (have these boys played together before?!) and the ball was moving quickly into the forward line. Marcus Yeo - keen to let everyone know that he is back in 2008 - decided that some trademark flare was in order; and attempted to take the first mark of the game, by standing upright on the Shepp Swan fullback's head - unfortunately he could not bring it down. However we have a new second favourite for this years mark of the year .. Curtly Swindon odds on at $1.95 - but Yeo has moved into the market at $2.10.
The game in the first quater was played it Mont's half - after peppering the goals - it was young recruit Justin Branbury front and centre with a beautiful piece of roving that got us on the way.
This was the story for most of the first half really, it seemed if Shepp did get the ball into the their forward line - it was either repelled by Mark McGough or Ben Finno - and/or if they penetrated any further Jarrod McGough was there to stop the run.
The first half ended with Mont around 5 goals in the clear.
The second half saw the Swans switch on - and start to pressure the Mont backs - at one stage Shepp kicked 4 unanswered goals and where back within 8 points closing to the end of the third term. From this point on Mont took control again, and kicked 5 goals to 2 in the last quarter to run out comfortable 5 goals winners.
For those interested in how some of the new boys went: King, Santoro and Mark McGough all look very fit and had good games. Mentioned earlier young Justin Branbury looks to be a bright prospect - for those Mont supporters familiar with Robbie Wise's work - think Robbie - with perhaps slightly less pace - but slightly more impressive skills.
From the old brigade - two blokes relished not having to take on as much ruck work: Hayes looked to enjoy spending more time in the forward line and kicked four majors - as too Cusack who played a cracker on the wing.
In all we don't want to get carried away, however, thanks to a hardcore per-season lead by Steve Yeo Mont are looking fit and it seems a new game plan is coming together that might see some success on the bigger grounds.
It was great to also see the return of Ben Broadbent - who killed them at full back, and also Matt "Barney" Brown - who has lost none of his ball finding and goal sneak ability.
Finally - Did I really see that?!?
Deep in the fourth quater Pee Wee picked up the ball (under a little pressure) within 15 meters of goal, to everyone amazement; instead of turning on a ten cent piece and having a left foot banana snap at the big sticks... Pee Wee gave it off.... Hoffy was heard remarking from the boundary line "if he is going to start to handball I might even give a him game in the two's"
Reporter Dan Duke on the scene
Last Modified on 17/03/2008 18:56