GOLDEN Rivers powerhouse Wandella corrected their early season form slump, with a dominant eight-goal victory over Murrabit at the weekend.
The win gives the Bombers their first points for 2023, while putting the winless Blues under pressure on the bottom of the ladder.
A four-goal-to-none opening quarter from Wandella set up the victory, along with restricting Murrabit to just one goal for the opening three terms.
The Blues added some respectability to the scoreboard in the final quarter, but the damage was done with inaccuracy in front of goal destroying any chance the visitors had, the Bombers recording a comfortable 12.11 (83) to 4.11 (35) win.
Wandella coach Logan Keighran was upbeat following his club’s first win of the season, saying the first-quarter onslaught proved to be a key factor in the win.
“Yesterday was a must-win game for us, it didn’t matter how we won, we just had to win,” Keighran said on Sunday.
“The feeling afterwards was relief, because we know we’re good enough to be challenging, we just had to get that first win under the belt.
“I was really pleased with the first quarter, we played the game on our terms which for us is about moving the ball fast, moving it off the lines and getting it into our forward line quick.
“We spoke about it all pre-season and trained it, but we just hadn’t been able to do it over the first two weeks. That set the tone really early and set us on our way.”
Lee Pollock continued his good early-season form with a dominant performance in the ruck opposed to Ben Gillingham, while Russell Rich in the middle and veteran Tim Robinson across half-back were also influential performers in a full-team effort.
Murrabit were far from disgraced, winning their fair share of the ball from the middle, but they failed to capitalise with errant kicking going inside their attacking half of the ground.
Jono Aujard, in his first game for the Blues, showed he will be an impactful midfield ball-winner for his new club, with fellow onballers Nathan O’Toole and Dustin Blake, and running half-back Tobie Cameron, among the better players.
With the Bombers season up and running, it sets up a blockbuster clash with unbeaten premiership favourites Moulamein, who were made to earn their 24-point home win over an improving Hay.
The Swans led at every change but struggled to shake off the plucky Lions, who stuck with the home side every step of the way despite missing several key players.
Andy Silva stepped up in the continued absence of Beau Duggan-Hulands, booting six goals for the Swans, with the lively Khy Stovell kicking four in the 14.11 (95) to 11.5 (71) win.
The Lions were well served by onballers Will Clark and Hugh Crighton, while forward Fergus Cattanach slotted four of Hay’s 11 goals for the afternoon.
Ultima claimed top spot on the ladder, with a commanding 49-point win over an inaccurate Macorna.
The Roos, who finished bottom last season, are now undefeated through the opening three games of the season and appear to be the team most likely to challenge Moulamein for top billing.
Ryan Devereux was the star for Ultima with an eight-goal haul helping to give the home side a comfortable 13.11 (89) to 5.10 (40) win.
