-By Nathan Dole
THE Blues from Murrabit marked a winning start to the Golden Rivers senior footy season at Macorna on Saturday.
Sixth on a win-loss tally of 3-13 last season, Murrabit outpointed Macorna which was fourth in ’24.
The Jack Shannahan-coached Murrabit raced to a 25-7 lead by quarter-time in the opening round.
By half-time the Blues were up 45-20.
The Tigers fired up to win third, 15-10, as Murrabit held a 20-point buffer going into the final quarter.
The Paul Longstaff and Shaun Haffenden-coached Macorna added 2.1 in the last as Murrabit scored 2.2.
At the final siren Murrabit led 69-48.
Adam Thomson and Jordan Lampi led the Blues’ attack on four and two goals.
Macorna’s leading goalkicker was Matthew Angel on two.
Best for Murrabit were Logan McKinnon, Jordan Lampi, Bailey Pengelly, Bryden Morison, Jack Shannahan and Adam Thomson.
The Tigers’ best were Jackson Fry, Hunter Anset, Kurt Forder, Shaun Haffenden, Matthew Angel and Cooper Carmichael.
After unfurling the ’24 premiership flag, Ultima kicked on for a 92-41 win against Wandella.
The Mitch Seton-Stewart and Kyle Symons-coached Kangaroos bounced out to a 41-17 lead by half-time.
Ultima’s tally of five goals as it held Wandella to a score of four behinds in the third term put the result beyond doubt.
Josh Dwyer kicked four goals as Kade Benfield and Thomas Isma added two in a 92-41 victory.
Wandella’s attack was led by Connor Carter on two goals.
Best for Ultima were Darcy Farrell, Ricky Wild, Jye Purtill, Mitchell Seton-Stewart, Matt Taverna and Thomas Bull.
Tim Robinson, Connor Carter, Archer Lancaster, John Cooper, Kane Timmins and Adam McKenzie played well for the Justin Robinson-coached Bombers.
An eight-goal haul by Jack Headon highlighted Hay’s big win at home against Moulamein.
The Lions roared to a 119-53 victory in the den at Hay Recreation Reserve.
After outscoring the Swans by five goals in the first term, Hay led 68-16 by the long break.
Moulamein hit back strongly to win the third term, 30-11.
The Jason Aylett and James Moran-coached Hay then lifted its intensity again to score 6.4 in the last as Moulamein added 1.1.
Other multiple goalkickers for the Lions were co-captain Jack Cattanach and Harry Loughnan on three.
There were eight goalkickers for Moulamein.
Best for Hay were Jack Headon, Joel Crocker, Jacob Watson, Simon Bunyan, Fergus and Jack Cattanach.
Blake Launer, Adam Saunders, Xander Hartland, Ethan Fitzpatrick, Ely Miller and William Doquile worked hard for a Swans team which has Brodie Tonkin and Hayden Dalitz as co-coaches.
In next Saturday’s second round, Murrabit will be on home turf against Hay for the clash of the Blues and Lions from 2.25pm at Murrabit Recreation Reserve.
Wandella hosts Macorna in the battle of the Bombers and Tigers.
It’s the showdown of the Swans and Kangaroos as Moulamein hosts Ultima at Moulamein Recreation Reserve.
Golden Rivers FNL senior footy ladder:
Hay 224.5 per cent, 4 points; Ultima224.3, 4; Murrabit 143, 4; Macorna 69, 0; Wandella 44.57, 0; Moulamein 44.54, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
8 Jack Headon, Hay.
4 Josh Dwyer, Ultima.
4 Adam Thomson, Murrabit.
3 Jack Cattanach, Hay.
3 Harry Loughnan, Hay.
2 Matthew Angel, Macorna.
2 Kade Benfield, Ultima.
2 Connor Carter, Wandella.
2 Thomas Isma, Ultima.
2 Jordan Lampi, Murrabit.