Season Opener Review
How good was that ! What a start to the 2022 SSA OMFNL season ! The long 231-day wait was certainly worth it as the season started with a couple of nail-biting finishes.
The games at the McNamara Reserve in Myrtleford and the Lavington Sportsground had winning margins of three points.
While down at the Norm Minns Oval the Wangaratta Magpies made a massive claim for flag favouritism with a commanding win over Albury Tigers.
Myles Aalbers in his return to Lavington from a coaching stint at Rand Walbundrie Walla Giants had a long-range set shot after the siren to snatch victory.
The shot missed to leave Corowa Rutherglen three-point winners after not hitting the front until the ten-minute mark of final quarter.
Lavington held a nine-point lead at the final change and despite kicking two goals, the inaccurate Roos stormed home with 3.8 to snatch a must win encounter.
The emerging local talent of Bailey Pirnag, Darcy Melksham and Kaelen Bradke played a massive part in the win, with returning local Will Robinson also prominent.
Just like in 2019 Myrtleford snapped a late goal to sink the Wangaratta Rovers in an enthralling contest that had the huge crowd in great voice.
Elijah Wales collected a brilliant handball under extreme pressure from Kurt Aylett to calmly slot a forty-metre goal to point the Saints in front by a point with a minute remaining.
The game had everything as the Rovers fought back from a third quarter deficit of twenty-six points to hit the front on three occasions in a frenetic final term.
The Saint’s win was super impressive with Simon Curtis, Jake Page, Matt Munro, Nick Warnock and Ryan Griffin all not playing in the three-point win.
Rovers’ midfielder Luke Webb did not fail his huge wraps with a best on ground four goal performance that almost got the hawks over the line.
Wangaratta stunned not only the Albury Tigers but the whole league with a breathtaking opening quarter that netted 7-7 to Albury one behind.
The 54-point final margin was only the second time Albury has been beaten by over fifty points in the last decade, with Magpie’s coach Ben Reid landing five goals.
Brilliant games from recruits Jackson Clarke and Paddy Warner warmed the Pies supporters’ hearts, while Joe Richards was best on ground with a scintillating display.
The Tigers were best served by veteran Shaun Daly and Riley Bice. Key defender Kieran Ellis was badly missed with the Tigers lack of height a glaring problem.
Myrtleford star Rebecca Piazza celebrated her 350-club game at the Saints with a starring role in the narrow one goal win over Rovers after trailing by five goals at the last change.
Twenty-four years after her debut game Piazza was switched to goalkeeper in the second half after the visitors had surprised the Saints with its slick ball movement.
The 2007 Toni Wilson Medallist was playing her 270th A grade game had a great battle against Rover’s goalkeeper Jeynelle Mills in the 32-31 result.
Just like the football next door the game went to the final seconds with Rovers shot on gaol in the last tense seconds rolling out.
The history making netball clash broadcast live on 1492 2AY and live streamed across several platforms showed that the defending premiers are going to be hard to beat again.
With impressive games from recruit Georgia Clarke (Geelong) and the returning Leah Jenvey they were never troubled in the 53-32 win.
The big question pre game at Lavington was – could the high-flying Corowa Rutherglen maintain its resurgence over the previous two seasons.
They certainly did with an impressive 41-33 win over the emerging Panthers who showed they again will be pressing for finals action.
Roos coach Georgie Bruce would have been delighted with the start after losing Jess Brice, Brooke Brice, Ella Kingston and Zali Spencer.
So, the season opener done and dusted, as the remaining four clubs Wodonga, Wodonga Raiders, Yarrawonga, and North Albury prepare for their first hit out this Saturday.
We will catch you later in the week for a preview and snapshot of what’s happening around the clubs ahead of round one.
