Waaia has sent an early message to the competition with a strong win over powerhouse Strathmerton in a rematch of the 2019 grand final.
The Bombers were simply too strong in the Picola District Football League round one clash, running out winners, 8.15 - 63 to 14.12 - 96.
It was a game that seemed in the balance throughout, with Strathmerton 14 points up at quarter time, before Waaia kicked clear in the second.
A big third term from Strathmerton soon got the side back in the contest, with eight points the difference at three quarter time.
However the Bombers proved too strong, with a massive final term seeing them run out 33-point victors.
Waaia coach Mark Meyland said he was “wrapped” with the way his side responded to the Bulldogs’ third quarter pressure.
“Obviously we know the calibre of the blokes that they’ve got out there so we knew it was always going to come it was just a matter of withstanding when they did put up the fight and I think we’ve done it extremely well,” Meyland said.
“We knew that they were obviously going to come so we just had to go back to our structures.
“We didn’t want to get lost, we knew if we had the footy in our hands then they can’t have it so we can control the game from there, it was just a matter of following back and getting the ball in our hands and our possession and using it wisely.”
Waaia had a good day across the park, with Charlie Burrows, Samuel Richardson and Brayden Summerville among the side’s best.
“It’s just the perfect start, you can only beat who you’re up against so we’ve done that, that’s a big tick for us now,” he said.
Strathmerton co-coach Tim Looby was disappointed his side failed to get over the line.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s round one or round 15, we want to play the Strathy way,” Looby said.
“Waaia took it up to us after a good start from us, we were probably left wanting a little bit, skill errors, got beaten on the spread which is unlike us, so that’s a work rate thing, we’ve got to sharpen up there.
“They just got in some dangerous spots and we couldn’t defend them.
“Full credit to Waaia but we’re realistic, we know its round one and we’ll bounce back.
“We were beaten by a better side today and you’ve just got to tip your hat to Waaia and we’ll move on and get better.”
While it was a disappointing result for Strathmerton, there were plenty of positive signs, with Tyson Sidebottom putting in a strong display, while new boys Jake Ellery and Jessie Finnen impressed.
Around the grounds, Tungamah ran out 14-point victors at home to Katandra.
It was only a point the difference at the main break, however the Bears proved too strong in the final term.
At Berrigan, the home side picked up a 29-point win over Picola United.
This game was on a knife’s edge in the first half, however a big second half performance to Berrigan got the side the points.
Katunga also won by a 29-point margin, outclassing Deni across the day.
It was much more one-sided in Blighty, with Jerilderie running out 57-point victors, while Rennie blew Mathoura’s socks off with a massive 151-point win and Tocumwal and Katamatite had the week off.