AFTER winning just two matches last year, Tooleybuc-Manangatang have begun the new season in the best way possible.
The Saints were made to earn their nine-point win over a fast-finishing Mallee Eagles on Saturday.
Leading by 15 and then 28 points at the first two changes, the home side were in front all afternoon.
But after being outplayed for much of the first three quarters, the Eagles fought their way back into the contest in the final term, kicking four of the last five goals.
Tooleybuc-Manangatang survived the scare to hold on for a a 11.10 (76) to 9.13 (67) victory.
The win broke a seven-match losing streak dating back to round 10 last season.
New coach Brad Morris was pleased his club’s hard work was already paying dividends.
“We’re the same as everyone else in footy, to get the four points straight up was a huge relief and great start to our season,” Morris said.
“(Mallee Eagles) didn’t give up and kicked a couple of late goals and we had to sharpen up late, but it was good to close it out in the end.
“It was a pretty tough day and it was just good reward for our boys to get the four points.
“I felt the connection we had through the midfield was where we got on top across the day.
“Both teams had their chances and, while I felt we maybe had a bit of an advantage through there, it wasn’t a dominant game by any means.
“We had a focus on our midfield connection and a need to work hard on our exit from defence, and we got on top in that area and that held us in good stead.”
Both teams were intent on getting first hands on the ball in an at times heavily contested battle.
Beau Bennett was instrumental for the Eagles, his ability to work forward leading to three goals, while Brent Macleod, Brady Fordham and Troy Anderson were also influential around the contest for the visitors.
But it was Tooleybuc-Manangatang’s depth and contested ball-winning ability through the midfield that ultimately proved too strong.
Morris was quick to heap praise on his onballers’ ability to win the ball at its hottest.
“Blake Grant was good in the midfield and Elliott Chalmers on the inside was strong too,” he said.
“(Chalmers) gave us a lot of first use and did plenty of grunt work in there, as Brent Macleod is a very good footballer and someone we needed to be mindful of.
“Blake Grant and Kai Kearns through the midfield stood up and did the hard work and went a long way to getting us across the line in the end.
“Connor McDonald worked tirelessly in the ruck all day too and it was a good battle between him and Jai Middleton, his work below his knees and around the ground work was fantastic.”
The other influential player for the Saints was Jaicob Kenny, the key defender being tasked with stopping the highly rated Eagles full forward Darcy Hourigan, who looked threatening early after taking several telling marks, before Kenny was able to put the clamps on after half-time.
Jayden Post was also impactful for the Eagles, producing a strong four-quarter performance across centre half-forward.
FINAL SIREN
| TOOLEY-MANANGATANG | 4.4 | 7.5 | 10.7 | 11.10 | 76 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MALLEE EAGLES | 2.1 | 3.7 | 5.9 | 9.13 | 67 |
VOTES
3 – Connor McDonald (Tooleybuc-Manangatang)
2 – Beau Bennett (Mallee Eagles)
1 – Harrison Maher (Tooleybuc-Manangatang)
