A SECOND half onslaught has given Tooleybuc-Manangatang their first win of the season.
The Saints defeated Swan Hill by 71 points, 17.12 (114) to 5.13 (43).
After a hard-fought first half, the Saints made their dominance count after the main break, kicking 10 second-half goals to Swan Hill’s two.
The Swans started the first game of their season brightly, but inaccuracy allowed their opposition a way back into the game.
It took the Saints until the 20-minute mark to kick their first major, but once the team worked their way into the contest, they didn’t lift their foot off the gas.
Tooleybuc-Managatang coach Dean Helmer said he was happy with his side’s cohesion after their round 1 loss to reigning premiers Kerang.
“As a new side just coming together, it’s important we play to our plan.” he said
“I think we did that well. We clogged the corridor and cut out some short handballs. The boys also made space quickly, which made it easier for our backs to exit.”
Repeated stoppages led to rushed forward 50 entries for both sides, and by half-time it was the Saints’ accuracy making the difference.
Saint debutant Tim Auckland and Swan Hill’s Tobias Thoolen battled all day to give their midfield first use of the ball, but clearances were at a premium with the two ruckmen evenly matched in the air.
The sides went into the break with the same number of scoring shots, but Tooleybuc-Manangatang maintained a 20-point lead after four goals to one in the second quarter.
At half-time Swan Hill coach Cal Beasy told his squad they were doing well at getting first to the ball, but implored them to clean up their disposal if they were to get the win.
Immediately after the break, Swan Hill fans may have believed this would happen. Dual Jack Betts medallist Matthew Wade kicked an early on the run goal, exciting the crowd.
However, this goal was one of the Saints’ last highlights for the day. Any momentum it garnered being quickly halted by two quick-fire goals from Saints forward Joshua Williams.
Williams finishing the game with a bag of eight, quickly putting behind himself a goalless round 1 game.
One downside for the Saints came in the third term, with Jack Mazzarella being helped from the ground after a big collision. Play was stopped and the young forward stumbled to his feet, following a bump he sustained vying for the ball at half-forward.
The Saints’ momentum did not falter, and their forward line took advantage of tiring legs and inexperience of their opponent’s back line.
Under the afternoon sun, Tooleybuc-Manangatang piled on seven final term goals and ran away with the game. Their record sits at one win and one loss, a good building point before an early bye to come.
The Swans however travel to Lalbert to take on the winless Mallee Eagles, with both sides vying to get off the mark for the season.
