A dominant win over Finley was exactly what Cobram had wished for from the opening round of the Murray Football Netball League season.
The Tigers ran away to a comprehensive 18.20 (128) to 4.6 (30) win at Scott Oval on Saturday.
Young gun Harry Beasley was influential, along with fellow emerging star Luca Allen and Jack Wilson.
Matthew DeMaio and Darcy Pridham-McCormack were clinical up forward for the Tigers and combined for nine goals.
Cobram coach John Brunskill was proud of the performance from his side in the round one clash.
“It’s a good start to the season,” he said.
“Harry (Beasley) was strong, one of our best, but I would have said all the side performed well.
“Finley will cause a few teams problems this year, they’ve had a few fly down from Queensland.
“It (the round one win) gives us a real good platform, we play Congupna this weekend who are an in-form side — it will be a huge test.”
Brunskill followed on by highlighting the newest challengers in the competition.
“There are a few sides ascending already,” he said.
“It will be a pretty even season, Tongala are a side to watch, as are Moama, Congupna, Mulwala and Numurkah.”
Speaking more on the win against Finley, Brunskill said Finley brought the heat to his group in the first term.
The Tigers’ mentor revealed his message to the group at quarter-time was “to go back to basics” to which his outfit quickly responded.
Cobram kicked clear after the first break and strolled to a comfortable win.
Meanwhile, Barooga kicked its season off with a tough loss to Deniliquin.
The Hawks were unable to click at Hardinge Oval and suffered a 19.14 (128) to 4.0 (24) defeat.
Daniel Johnston, Riley Gow, Kris Bextream and Cooper Trembath were gallant for Barooga and all named in the best players.
It won’t get any easier for Jackson Trengove and his charges with the Hawks to face powerhouse outfit Tongala this weekend.
Over on the netball courts, both Cobram and Barooga are hunting for wins after a disappointing first round in A-grade action.
The Hawks went down by a narrow margin to Deni and suffered a 50-44 defeat.
Cobram was unable to get the job against Finley and recorded a 44-29 loss.
It was a better result for the Tigers in B-grade and 15-and-under, with both sides able to record 45-33 and 16-12 wins respectively.
Barooga chalked up a tense 47-46 triumph in C-grade, while C-reserve drew 43-43 apiece.