Picola District Football Netball League is under way after two games of football and netball were played on Good Friday.
Picola United’s season is off to a flyer after it defeated Mathoura by 28 points.
The Blues led the Cutters at the end of each quarter as they controlled the match from start to finish, winning 9.11 (65) to 6.1 (37).
While the Blues will be happy to start the season with a win, they would feel they should have won by more, given they had 20 shots to Mathoura’s seven.
Picola United coach Rhys Woodland was happy with his side’s performance as his side secured victory.
“It was tough conditions being so hot, but it was good to get the monkey off the back and get the season off to a good start,” Woodland said.
“I think the midfield played pretty well, but it was an all-around team performance, as I think it was pretty even across the board.
“I think our forwards were probably a little bit wayward with their kicking, but we got the job done eventually, which is good.
In terms of impact, Picola United’s forward duo of Lachie Collins and Cody Haub were busy forward of centre, with both players scoring four goals each.
For Mathoura, the day was highlighted by the appearance of St Kilda Football Club legend Stephen Milne (one goal) for the Cutters.
The two-time All-Australian small forward was unable to make a major difference in the contest as he was well-smothered by Blues defender Luke Woolan.
Picola United’s defence was rock solid all day, as Woodland said the club greatly values the Blues’ experienced defensive unit.
“The back six worked really well as a group down there as we have got a few wiser heads down there at the moment, a fairly mature group, so they will be our springboard off half-back, which is what we are trying to achieve,” he said.
“They defend really well and then they start attacking and get the ball going our way.
“Blake Azzopardi across half-back was intercepting everything, he played really well. Up forward, Lachie Collins kicked a fair few and gave us a target all day.
“I think Lukey Woolan had a great game playing on Stephen Milne.
“It is probably just getting that connectivity through the middle of the ground and into our forward line and taking our opportunities when they come, but I think they will be the main things we work on and we have the bye next week.”
In the other match, Berrigan was dominant in a 69-point thumping of Tocumwal.
The Saints bolted out of the gates, kicking seven goals to the Bloods’ one in the first quarter.
The match then continued in a similar fashion as the game ended 18.11 (119) to 7.8 (50) in the Saints’ favour.
Berrigan key forward Jordan Bird was clearly best-on-ground after he delivered a 10-goal effort for the Saints.
In the net, Tocumwal avenged its footballing brothers as the Bloods defeated the Saints by 17 goals (37-20).
Tocumwal goal shooter Katrina Chellew top-scored for her side with 16 goals, while Berrigan goal shooter Jorja Withers was valiant for her side in defeat, finishing with 13 goals.
Meanwhile, Picola United scraped through its gripping match with a one-goal victory over Mathoura.
The game went down to the wire with the Blues eventually claiming victory (31-30).
Of these four sides, only Tocumwal will play this weekend against Deniliquin Rovers, while the other three teams will have a bye.