LAKE Boga began their 2025 campaign in impressive fashion, snapping a six game losing streak to Kerang with 45-point win over the Blues at Riverside Park on the Saturday afternoon.
Having last beaten Kerang back in round 4, 2018, the Magpies looked intent on breaking that streak right from the opening minutes, with the visitors opening up a 35-point advantage in a strong first half display.
The 18.11 (119) to 10.14 (74) score belied the Blues competitiveness in the end, with Kerang closing the margin back to just 12 points at three-quarter time, before Lake Boga finished with five unanswered goals in the final quarter.
Despite missing 15 players from last year’s grand final, the new look Kerang were still competitive against the Magpies, with their attack on the football and pressure around the contest first class according to Lake Boga coach Dean Helmers.
“You couldn’t fault their (Kerang’s) pressure and tackling, they were just unbelievable and they did not stop coming all day,” Helmers said post-match.
“I think the difference in the end was just our guys’ ability to settle when we needed to settle.
“Kerang had the breeze in the third quarter and come storming back, but our guys really settled in the last term and just got back to playing some really good positional football.
“We like to move it fast, but it was controlled. That and we’re starting to get used to each other a little bit more and what we need to do in certain situations.”
Zac Warne was dominant through the midfield and was a key contributor in the Magpies’ last quarter display, along with several new recruits who showed they will be strong acquisitions this season.
Braden Padmore kicked four goals in a hybrid midfield/forward role, despite being heavily tagged at times from Kerang, while former Mallee Eagle, Mardy McDonald, was also dangerous up forward kicking four goals in his first game in black and white.
Also among Lake Boga’s better players was key forward Rex Hickman, who provided a strong marking target across half forward, as well as Hunter Hartland who returned to his home club and competed manfully in the ruck against Rylee Gitsham, who was also among Kerang’s better players.
“His (Hickman) work rate was huge and he kicked three goals as well which were so important to us, especially against the breeze,” Helmers said.
“He was pushing right up the ground and giving us a relief kick out of the back line and then he worked hard forward.
“We know exactly what we’ll get from him with his absolute work rate, and the boys get to learn off a bloke that’s played a high standard of footy for a long time.
“He’s no different to ‘Duck’ (Andrew) McDonald who’s come in and is that experienced head in the back line.
“He settles the guys down and he controlled the pace pretty well in the back line. He’s a bigger body too and the young guys like having a taller guy down there as well.”
Bradlee Pay was a standout for Kerang, with the veteran dominant around the stoppages, while onballer Cody Makeham looked promising in his new role, as did Gitsham and Flynn McKnight, who was lively up forward with two goals.
Also among the Blues’ better players were first gamer Cooper Meehan, skipper Josh Hunter and Ethan McKnight, who kicked three goals in the loss.
“I was happy with our effort all day,” Kerang coach Paul Grayling said.
“Obviously not getting the result was disappointing, but as a group we will learn a few things and work on a few things during the week and look forward to putting them into place next week.
“We had five first gamers yesterday and had four brothers play together and another two sets of brothers in the team, so it’s a pretty exciting time for the footy club.”
The news wasn’t all good for Lake Boga however, with Jarrod Taylor injuring an ankle in the first quarter and looking set to miss an extended period on the sidelines.VOTES
3 – Zac Warne (Lake Boga)
2 – Bradlee Pay (Kerang)
1 – Braden Padmore (Lake Boga)
