The opening round provided a tight finish and some impressive wins.
Kinglake and Kilmore were vying for the Country Cup at Kinglake Memorial Oval. The Blues flew out of the blocks and always looked in control. A 43-point quarter time lead blew out to 71 points at the last change. The Lakers kicked a few late at home, but the game was well and truly gone by then, with the final margin being 53 points.
“A pleasing result given the investment over the pre-season to implement a new game plan and style”, said Kilmre coach Corey McCall.
The Blues played three 17-year-olds, with two debutantes. Eight players were listed among the goal-kickers, with Benjamin Barton and Max Lehner each booting three. Recruit Liam Salter also impressed, chipping in with two majors. The Kilmore players can now cool their jets with the Round 2 bye before hosting Heidelberg West on Anzac Day.
Michael Florance was best for the Lakers, while teammate Dylan Hoysted kicked two goals.
Epping and Mernda battled it out at Epping Recreational Reserve in what shaped as an intriguing contest. The margin was in single figures at the first three breaks, but the Demons powered away in the final term to win by 30 points, reclaiming the Patrick Chow Cup for the first time since the 2024 finals series. The Blues won both clashes against Mernda in 2025.
“I couldn’t be happier with the way they performed”, said Mernda coach Brent Marshall. Recruit Kyle Green was given a tick by the coach, while James Seculovski won the award for best on ground. Lachlan Taylor kicked three for the winners.
Daniel Rakhlin kicked three for Epping, with Joshua Bawden and Brent Macaffer being among the best.
Heidelberg West and Old Eltham Collegians locked horns at Heidelberg Park in what was yet another close tussle. Turtles’ teenager Lenny Thomson booted the only two goals of the first quarter. The Hawks gradually clawed their way back into the contest to lead by eight points at the final change and hung on to win by 12 points, with Jack Prosser kicking the final goal of the game to seal the deal. Heidelberg West moved the ball well through the middle parts of the game.
“After some early errors, we started to get the game back on our terms and stick our system and method of play”, said Heidelberg West coach Michael Missen. Missen gave a tick to Lou Hill and Hayden Bolzon, while Ryan Offer booted three for the winners.
“Overall, I was pleased with the effort and commitment of the boys on the day, as it was the first time they had played together,” said Old Eltham Collegians coach Stewart McCallum, referring to the eight new faces in the line-up. Jack Fitzgerald returned to the club and was among the best on the day.
Laurimar played Watsonia at Laurimar Reserve in the first ever meeting between these teams. Things were tight early but the Power put the disappointment of last year’s grand final loss and pulled away after half time to win by 78 points.
“We didn’t make the most of our opportunities early but really moved the ball well after half time and got the game on our terms”, said Laurimar coach Jimmy Atkins. Noah Mooney impressed for the victors, as did key recruit Jesse Donaldson, while Patrick Fitzgerald booted six majors.
Watsonia coach Anthony McGregor would’ve been disappointed with the latter parts of the contest, but his team will face many easier tasks than this as the season unfolds. Luke Sansonetti and Sam Cozens impressed for the Saints.
Laurimar’s win was just enough to propel them to the top of the ladder, narrowly ahead of Reservoir. The Mustangs’ position of second on the ladder would be their best since their premiership season of 2015.
While fans of the winning teams will be ecstatic to get the chocolates first up, those supporting the losers should remember that it is only Round 1, with a long season ahead.
