Lavington were attacking inside their forward fifty as the siren blew to end an epic season opener. The Panthers will rue missed opportunities kicking 3-9 in the last quarter.

A loss though would have been a travesty of justice as Wodonga looked the better side throughout and controlled the football with more purpose.

The opening term produced just one goal apiece but exuded plenty of pressure and tackling on the ball carrier in almost perfect conditions.

Wodonga kicked eight goals to four to open up a 26-point margin at three-quarter time with Oscar Wilding booting four goals including three in four minutes in a second-term spree.

Two goals in the first five minutes of the last quarter set up the grandstand finish as the Panthers wasted inside forward fifty dominance with behinds instead of majors.

A steadying goal by Sam Jewell midway through the quarter his third of the game was the steadier the Dogs craved.

The Bulldogs had many fine performers but the standout was Angus Baker with over thirty five possessions in one of his best games in the maroon and white.

Matt Wilson, Adam Jorgensen, Josh Mathey and Matthew Soroczynski were dominant midfielders while down back co-captain Charlie Morrison was outstanding.

For Lavington Ewan Mackinlay on debut was excellent with his two second-half goals being two for the highlight reel as he burnt off opposition defenders.

After a sluggish start, Luke Garland and Shaun Driscoll found plenty of the ball, while big man Tim Hanna just shaded his opposite number bailey Griffiths in a great contest.

Panthers coach expressed his disappointment with the Panthers’ first-up showing labelling it as poor a Lavington performance since he has been at the club.

Lavington badly missed a forward focal point and will be hoping the return of Jack Driscoll and Jono Spina will provide more options and variety.

The Bulldogs will go into this week’s home game against North Albury confident of making it six wins on the trot and the likely return on onballer Jack Yelland.

Lavington will travel to Myrtleford for an Easter Sunday stoush with the Saints. Wodonga Raiders will have the bye as the other six teams gear up for their maiden 2023 voyage.

The Panthers came up trumps in the netball season opener winning 61-39 with star goal shooter Christine Oguche the dominant force.

Just in her second season of sport let alone netball the 196 cm rising star combined superbly with Liv Sanson (22 goals) to set up the win.

Oguche is also a member of the Victorian under-19 squad which will contest the national championships in Darwin later this month.

The Panthers’ third quarter where they scored twenty goals was their best after Wodonga had shown great tenacity in the first half and look a much-improved unit.

Experienced defenders Steph Clancy and Sarah Meredith ensured the Wodonga goal shooters Cassie Mathey and Lisa French earnt every possession.

The visitors showed encouraging signs in an excellent final quarter where Lavington outscored them by just two goals.

Aleisha Coyle was the pick of the Wodonga side with good support from Leah Mathey, while Seymour recruit Ruby Martin showed her potential in a good debut.

The netball action continued at Birralee Park where Wodonga raiders hosted Corowa Rutherglen in 15 & Under, 17 & Under and C Grade.

The Raiders came away with a two goal win in the 15 & Under, a thumping fifty two goal win in the 17 & Under and a one goal win in a C grade thriller. Great to see the Roos competing in 2023.

Season underway keep an eye out for a massive Easter preview of a huge round of matches in the SS&A OMFNL that starts Good Friday.