Tatura had no trouble knocking the rust ― and Shepparton United ― off after a bye, storming out of the blocks for a 14.8 (92) to 7.7 (49) home win on Saturday.
A fleeting first quarter was ultimately the difference between the sides, with Bulldogs forward pairing Chaz Sargeant and Brodie Meyers going on to combine for nine goals throughout the match.
Tatura coach Paul Barnard said the eighth versus 12th Goulburn Valley League clash was fought at an elevated standard, adding a quick start was key to securing four points.
“I think the game was played at a pretty high standard to be honest,” Barnard said.
“For both teams it was a bit of an arm wrestle early, they showed great tenacity to play and so did we. We just managed to convert a little bit earlier than they did.
“Having Sargeant and Meyers up forward was probably giving us a focal point. It provided good targets for our mids and our backs to get the ball inside 50.
“It does give us some shape which is something we’ve been crying out for a little bit, but due to injuries and unavailability we haven’t had that.”
Following a string of tricky matches United perhaps would have sized Tatura up as one of three winnable games to round out the season.
The Bulldogs had other ideas.
Barnard’s boys pulled no punches from the jump as they slotted five goals to United’s one in the first quarter.
United was then playing catch up and could not make enough ground back in the second term as a 2.2 effort wouldn’t be enough to swing the tide back in the Demons’ favour.
The Bulldogs just had to keep plugging away and victory was theirs.
A 31-point lead at half-time remained heading into the final term as both sides managed three goals in the third, but United would fail to finish with gusto.
In the absence of Chris Ryan, who misses the rest of the season through a knee injury, new Bulldog Ryan Young came in and played a fantastic game in the ruck for his second senior appearance in blue, white and red.
Young’s 44 hit-out involvements were an indication of how busy he was at Tatura Park, while another to star was Matt Rennie.
Rennie was given the task of guarding United’s premier forward Jayden Magro and, though the dead-eye kicked three, Barnard was singing the backman’s praises following the win.
“Matt Rennie’s been enormous, he’s only 21 years of age and he’s had to play on all the premier forwards this year,” he said.
“He’s probably taken a huge step in his footy this year along with a few other boys like Sean McAllister.
“You look at those two boys there, they’re home grown and they’re really enjoying their footy at the moment and learning a lot.”
Another pleasing aspect for Barnard was the milestone of James Nihill, who sealed his 100th game in Tatura colours with a win.
“We’re really pleased for him and his family, the Nihill name is synonymous with the club,” he said.
“It’s something he can look back on when he’s finished eventually. Playing 100 games at any club is a great achievement, so we’re thrilled for him.”