REIGNING premiers Kerang have started their title defence in the best way possible, with nine unanswered third-quarter goals setting up a dominant 75-point win over Tooleybuc-Manangatang.
After a first half full of wasted opportunities, the Blues kicked into gear after the main break.
Kicking 11 goals to one in the wet and greasy conditions, they sent an ominous warning that they will once again be the team to beat this season.
Kerang’s midfield dominated from start to finish and were given an armchair ride by recruit Nick Lang, who’s tap work and ability to find the footy around the ground will see him become a vital element of the Blues premiership defence.
Tooleybuc-Manangatang had no answers to the visitors’ midfield dominance, being obliterated out of the centre and around the stoppages for much of the afternoon.
Ryan Gillingham, Josh Nitschke, Marty Kelly, Rylee Smith and Tyson Clingan were constantly in the action, with their endeavour and attack on the ball suiting the slippery conditions.
The first hour of the match wasn’t quite as dominant for the Blues, who burnt chances in front of goal as they at times overused the ball.
Tooleybuc-Manangatang’s pressure was first class and kept them in the game throughout a scrappy first half, but they too wasted opportunities with errant kicking and a lack of structure going forward at times.
A number of Blues found themselves playing different roles in a look to what lies ahead, with Sean Hunter deployed across half back with great effect. A superb Hunter’s run and carry and ability to create is set to cause opposition teams headaches over the coming weeks.
Bradlee Pay was another who found himself in foreign territory, with the Blues veteran playing predominately forward, where he ended the day as joint leading goal scorer, alongside Michael Runciman.
Pay and Runciman, along with Tooleybuc-Manangatang’s Josh Williams, would each end up with three goals in the 15.12 (102) to 4.3 (27) victory – but it was Blues coach Troy Coates who looked the most threatening up forward throughout the afternoon.
Like Pay, regular defender Michael Dalrymple was also swung forward for the visitors but, in a less than ideal day for marking forwards, was well held by Saints full-back Jaicob Kenny. Dalrymple ended the match on the bench after injuring his ankle early in the last quarter and would appear to be in some doubt for Kerang’s clash against the Mallee Eagles.
While the scoreboard may not have made great reading for the home side, there were still plenty of positives for Dean Helmers and his men to take from the loss.
Ryan Domaille and Ethan Goldfinch were both resolute in defence, while Brayden Pitcher and Williams showed they have the capacity to break a game open with their class and skill, but just need more opportunities to put it on display.
Blake Grant, Luke Walsh and Mitch Grant also had plenty of the ball, while Jack Templeton could walk away proud of his contribution.
Although well beaten, the Saints will be better for the run, with Saturday being the first time many of their recruits had played together.
And while it will take a few weeks for them to gel together, they will also have a very real chance to put their first notch in the win column this Saturday, when they face a Swan Hill side playing their first match after having the bye.
VOTES
3 – Nicholas Lang (Kerang)
2 – Ryan Gillingham (Kerang)
1 – Sean Hunter (Kerang)
