The Kangaroos have started their season on a winning note with a comfortable 20 point win over Lyndale at Barry Powell Reserve. The Roos looked the better team all day, leading at every change in a consistent four quarter performance. Moorabbin’s first half set up the win, restricting Lyndale to just two goals to take a comfortable buffer of 22 points at the main break.
The Pumas fought back and matched it with the Kangaroos after half time to reduce the margin to 13 points at the three quarter time break to give themselves a chance. The last quarter proved to be an arm wrestle with Moorabbin eventually proving to be too strong, taking the valuable four premiership points with them.
Dylan Bone was the standout up forward for the Roos with six goals, while Aaron Bodin and Kipp Wilson also found plenty of the footy. Jayden Denmead, Nicholas Cunningham and Brian Grundy fought hard all day in a disappointing start for Lyndale.
Dandenong 5.7 (37) def by Frankston Dolphins 23.13 (151)
Newcomers Frankston have sent a warning to the rest of the competition, putting in a dominant performance to mark their SFNL debut by dismantling Dandenong by a whopping 114 points at Greaves Reserve. The first quarter was highly competitive and entertaining with the Dolphins taking a 13-point lead at the first break. From then on it was all one-way traffic however, with the Dolphins restricting the Redlegs to two second-half goals whilst booting 16 of their own in a formidable display.
The Dolphins were extremely potent in attack with a vast spread up forward that included 11 individual goal kickers. Benjamin White and Luke Kirkland led the way with four majors each, whilst Hayden Anderson capped off an all-round display, adding two majors to go with a best afield performance.
For the home side, Jayke Hopkins and Ben Rawlings never stopped trying but ultimately the Dolphins had too many contributors across the park and will take plenty of confidence, and percentage, out of the clash on Saturday.
Lyndhurst 17.19 (121) def Sandown 3.4 (22)
Lyndhurst has given their home fans plenty to cheer about during their big win against Sandown, running out 99-point winners at Marriott Waters Reserve. The Lightning controlled the game all day in a four quarter performance with the major interest revolving around what the end margin would be at the final siren.
Having being slightly inaccurate in the first half, the Lightning really put their foot down after the major break booting 11 goals to two, ensuring that they would come away from their season opener with the four points and a handy percentage.
The Cobras were never in the contest but fought admirably and showed character in the final quarter to boot two goals, keeping the margin under three figures at the final siren. For the Lightning there were plenty of contributors across the field with seven multiple goal scores providing an even contribution in attack.
Jason Twite, Charlie Gardiner and Hugh Cullen-Scholes all found both the footy and the scoreboard, kicking two goals each. James Tate put in his best effort in a tough day for Sandown.
Cerberus 6.6 (42) def by Carrum Patterson Lakes 12.9 (81)
Carrum Patterson Lakes recorded a fantastic come from behind win to start their season on a positive note overrunning home side Cerberus by 39 points at McAuliffe Oval. Things were not looking too good for the away side at half time, with only one major to their name and being held scoreless in the second term.
However an inspired third term saw them to surge back into the contest booting five goals to one to take a 15 point lead at the last change. They continued their momentum into the final quarter piling on another six majors to put the game beyond doubt. The come from behind victory was an excellent display of character and resilience from the Lions who will take plenty of confidence in addition to the four points.
Tyler Neal and Paul Mauracher were the stars up forward for the Lions, booting seven goals between them. Alex Hollingsworth and Shane Dunn were prominent with ball in hand and instrumental in the win.
For Cerberus there were encouraging signs in their return game to senior football after dominating in the Thirds competition since 2011. The end result will still be of disappointment to the Dogs but they can take solace from the fact that they can compete at this level. There were no multiple goal scorers for the Dogs, however Michael Schwarz and James Demby both hit the scoreboard and were the best performers for the home side.
