HAY and Swan Hill marked winning starts to their Radio 3SH-backed Central Murray senior footy seasons on Saturday.
The Lions from Hay faced Tyntynder in the first of Zero Round matches at Swan Hill’s Alan Garden Reserve.
Tyntynder’s line-up included Scott Lycett who rucked in West Coast’s premiership victory of 2018, and former Port Adelaide on-baller Sam Gray.
Hay raced to a 27-nil lead by quarter-time and was up 42-3 by the main break.
As the Lions added five goals in the third term they worked brilliantly to keep the Bulldogs goalless.
Tyntynder struck back to win the last, 26-7, but it was Hay which celebrated an 82-30 victory in its Central Murray FNL debut.
The Lions’ attack was led by Declan Watson and Tom Banuelos on five and four goals.
Gray and Lycett both kicked a goal for Tyntynder.
Hay’s best were Tom Banuelos, Harry Loughnan, Tom Sheldrick, Joel Crocker, Dylan Collis and Dylan Adkins.
Best for Tyntynder were Cayden Crowe, Elliott Broad, Harry Simpson, Josh Dwyer, Eddy Schifferle and Mick Dedini.
Swan Hill won every quarter on its way to a 119-62 against Ultima under the Swan Hill Recreation Reserve.
Back at the club after a stint with coaching Nyah Nyah West United to a premiership, Jason Murphy was rapt with the Swans intensity and workrate.
Swan Hill led 26-8 at quarter-time and 58-23 by the main break.
A great sign for the Swans was a spread of a dozen goalkickers in a score of 18.11.
Swan Hill’s attack was led by Rory Atkins and Tom Smith on three each as Xavier Moloney, Luke Phelan added two goals.
For Ultima it was Andrew Dean who kicked a match-high six goals in the club’s first hit-out in the CMFNL after crossing from the now-defunct Golden Rivers FNL.
James Horsey, Xavier Moloney and Cooper Angus won plenty of contests to be Swan Hill’s best along with Harry Gadsden, Tom Smith and Rory Sheldrick.
Ultima’s best were Andrew Dean, Thomas Bull, Caillum Brady, Matt Taverna, Jye Purtill and Jack Delmenico.
There is no play across the Central Murray on the Easter weekend.
Round one will be played on April 11 from 2.30pm.
Match of the day will be at Nyah Recreation Reserve where Nyah Nyah West United takes on Woorinen in the rematch of the ’25 grand finalists from 2.30pm.
The NNWU Demons beat the Demons by 72 points in last September’s grand final in Swan Hill.
Another big match in round one will be Koondrook Barham against Hay at Barham Recreation Reserve.
Lake Boga will host Cohuna Kangas.
Mallee Eagles meet Balranald in the nest at Lalbert Recreation Reserve.
Moulamein and Murrabit renew their rivalry from Golden Rivers days in the Swans’ nest at Moulamein Recreation Reserve.
Kerang will tackle Wandella in the clash of the Blues and Bombers at Kerang’s Riverside Park.
Tooleybuc Manangatang faces Tyntynder at Tooleybuc Recreation Reserve.