LAKE Boga opened their account with an impressive 33-point victory over an undermanned Mallee Eagles, kicking 9.15 (69) to 6.9 (45).
In wet conditions under persistent rain, particularly in the first half, the Magpies controlled the contest from the opening minutes.
The first goal was registered inside 30 seconds, when talented Magpies ruckman Jacob Simpson rose high over the Eagles Angus McKenzie to find newcomer Matthew Payne, who in turn found former Balranald forward Lincoln Sieben on the forward flank.
Sieben set up Jayden Lonergan 30 metres directly in front, enabling him to duly salute in possibly the best act of play for the afternoon, the Magpies capitalising on the dry ball.
The conditions were not conducive to good football, with players from both teams struggling to maintain their footing and the contest becoming a battle across both half-back lines.
Payne showed that he will be a real asset for the Magpies this season with a great snap goal at the 15-minute mark of the opening term.
The Eagles’ defence was under siege as Payne, Sieben, Tyle Williams and Jake Warren won the ball with ease through the midfield due to the strong ruck work of Simpson.
Eagles youngster Billy O’Meara, along with Clinton Cummins and Joe Halloran did an excellent job to withstand the continual onslaught from the Magpies and in response the Eagles began to lift their work rate.
Cummins was able to find Ethan Pinchen with the wet ball, who converted with an accurate 45m goal, with Cummins combining with Andrew McDonald to score his first goal to effectively tie the game up at the 20-minute mark.
Two late Lake Boga goals however, to Williams and ex-Richmond forward David Gourdis, gave Lake Boga a handy 16-point margin at the first change.
The second term would again be a hard slog in the conditions, but the big crowd were treated to some great wet weather football thanks to Payne, with his four bounces clearing from full back having to be seen to be believed.
Goals to Lake Boga’s Taylor Johnstone, Angus Monfries and Williams blew their lead out to 37 points midway through the second term, before a late goal to new Eagles recruit Paul Davis from 45m out brought some late hope for the home side.
The third term was probably the best stanza of football for the day, with the rain stopping and allowing players of both sides to have the confidence to use the football with more purpose. Simpson and Mackenzie were now having a great battle in the ruck, with McKenzie lifting his work rate in contested situations.
Billy O’Meara continued to repel the ball off half back, suggesting he will be a player of the future for the Eagles. Davis started to become a target up forward and booted his second, before setting up McKenzie for his first and for a moment, the Eagles were beginning to show signs of an unlikely comeback.
Lake Boga were having none of that however, and two late goals to Payne and Nathaniel Holmes-Brown shut the gate on any thoughts of a Mallee Eagles revival.
The highlight of the last term, as the rain began to descend, was the Eagles hierarchy deciding to turn on the lights at the ground, so bad were the conditions. Unfortunately, so was the football, with both teams kicking three points each for the quarter, leaving the players extremely grateful for the full-time siren, ending an extremely gruelling day at the office.
VOTES
3 – Matthew Payne (Lake Boga)
2 – Jacob Simpson (Lake Boga)
1 – Tyle Williams (Lake Boga)
