Watsonia marked its return to A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2 with a commanding 27-point victory over Panton Hill at A.K. Lines Reserve.
Unveiling their 2016 Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 flag on home soil, the Saints were able to keep the celebrations going into 2017, fending off a Redbacks attack in the third term to run out 10.8 (68) to 6.5 (41) winners.
This was the first time both sides had played each other since the famous 2013 Division 3 Grand Final, where the Redbacks won a one-point thriller, only adding to the importance of victory for Watsonia.
New recruit Ben Anderson and premiership defender Ben Sutherland were dominant and destructive with the football while Jeremy Bennett and Adrian Alfonsi began to build on their respective 27 and 26-goal seasons in 2016, each scoring two goals.
Jonty Rushton and Cameron Jordan were among the best for the visitors, both contributing for four quarters to keep their side in the contest throughout the game.
The Saints were able to make some use of their many inside 50 entries early in the first term with Bennett and Allan Young finding the big sticks.
New recruit Alek Tsardakis was able to reward his good positioning with a major to open the Redbacks account, before Alfonsi’s first goal took the margin to 12 points.
A late Cameron Jordan goal against the wind however put the game right back in the balance, reducing Watsonia’s lead to six heading into the first break.
The home side was able to maintain the forward pressure that saw them lay 34 tackles in the first quarter, despite kicking against the wind.
Although the pressure was prominent, the Saints had few rewards to collect for it with Chris Harris’ goal the only major for the quarter.
While Panton Hill was struggling to take the advantage of the wind, a spectacular screamer from Mitch Anderson proved to be the main highlight for the visitors as they went into the main break trailing by 14 points.
With the wind dying down in the second half, scoring became easier at both ends of the ground.
Rushton nailed a difficult set shot before Jordan converted his second major. Panton Hill made it three in a row when Sam Montanaro kicked his first as the visitors took the lead for the first time in the match midway through the third quarter.
However, that was when Panton Hill’s dominance ceased as a Jeremy Bennett-led resurgence saw the Saints kick the next three goals and head into the final change with a 13-point lead.
Panton Hill kicked the first goal of the final quarter via playing-coach Joffa Byron, reducing the margin to a straight kick.
But again the Redbacks couldn’t maintain the pressure with Lachlan Sinclair, Anderson and Andrew Clarke all converting goals on the run to ensure Watsonia made a winning start to the 2017 season.
Watsonia is on the road in Round 2 when it takes on Thomastown at Main Street Recreation Reserve, while Panton Hill returns home to take on Lower Plenty at Cracknell Reserve.
Final score: Watsonia 10.8 (68) def Panton Hill 6.5 (41)
