Leading from start to finish, the Saints proved too strong running out victors 20.19 (139) to 11.9 (75) with an impressive eight goal to two last quarter.
With 39 scoring shots to 20, the result could have been a lot worse for Heidelberg West who was just unable to strike the winning formula on Saturday.
Heidelberg West was within three goals five minutes into the last quarter with James Mclean-Brunton providing the much needed spark in the last quarter for the hose with two quick goals.
However, numerous waves of attack from the Watsonia half back line became too much for Heidelberg West to handle as the floodgates opened – shutting down any chance of a last quarter comeback.
Key forward Jeremy Bennett stole the show in the last with four goals, bringing his tally to seven for the match.
New playing coach Lochie Dornauf was a star in his first appearance for Watsonia and held such poise for a man of only 20 years of age. Not afraid to tell a teammate much older than him he was being carried; Dornauf provided the grunt and aggression that looks like carrying Watsonia to a much improved season than its 2012 campaign which returned only one win.
Heidelberg West was persistent with the game plan of switching the ball into the middle and creating open space on the wings from start to finish. When it worked, it was dangerous and surged back into the game on numerous occasions with consecutive goals.
However, the Hawks were unable to produce these tactics on enough occasions and were punished by a harder running Watsonia outfit. The visitors ran in numbers, always looking for the man out the back to offload to with momentum.
The Heidelberg West forward line had a height advantage on the Watsonia backs but they were unable to exploit this advantage with Watsonia constantly dropping back two or three players at a time to provide the chop out. Dornauf was a prime example of this, dropping back into the hole and clunking everything he got his hands on.
Dornauf, Bennett, Brody Ricardi, Jarryd Allen and Matt Crompton were all amongst the best for Watsonia across the whole game, with each of them providing the run out of the middle and half back line that Watsonia lacked last year.
For Heidelberg West, new recruits Jack Marris and Kyl Ewart were gallant all day while James Mclean-Brunton, Dylan Kennedy and Daniel Moore were good in patches.
Both sides were active in the off-season recruiting players each side believed would fill the gaps that they struggled with last year. Heidelberg West included five of their new recruits in the team while Watsonia included nine new recruits in a new look team to start season 2013.
Watsonia will play its first home game of the season at A.K Lines Reserve next week against Reservoir, while Heidelberg West has the bye.
Final score: Heidelberg West 11.9 (75) def by Watsonia 20.19 (139)
