By JOSIP ZILIC
NORTH Geelong Warriors opened its 2015 winning account in triumphant fashion on Wednesday night, overrunning more-fancied opponents Green Gully 6-1 in Melbourne.
The Warriors were determined and aggressive, closing down Green Gully at every opportunity as hat-trick hero Robbie Zadworny worked his way into the centre of the action.
Zadworny opened the score in the 16th minute, slotting a well-weighted Vito Cichello through-ball past Kieran Gonzalez at the near post.
In the 35th minute Green Gully coach Bob Stojcevski was forced to take off right-back Aaron Cohen as Zadworny gave him a torrid time.
Like a man possessed, Zadworny pressed on, beating his man just moments before half time when he lobbed a ball over the advancing keeper from 18 yards.
Immediately after the break Green Gully got on the scoreboard in an attempt to revive its fortunes when Mathew Reid swept home after some poor marking by North Geelong’s defence.
But that was all Green Gully could summon on the night.
Zadworny was the man again, continuing his domination with a 51st minute goal when he chested a Cichello through-ball to ground and dispatched with aplomb, bagging his hat-trick in the process.
The Warriors made some changes after the 65th minute, preserving legs ahead of another big clash on Saturday against the Knights.
But it didn’t stop the Warriors’ march, with Juso Julardzija netting a well-worked team goal in the 70th minute.
Then Reardo Luka came on as a sub, curling in a spectacular 25-yard strike at the foot of the post.
To ice the cake in the dying minutes, Julardzija pounced on a Nicholas Jurcic ball worked down the left wing to finish from close range and bag the side’s sixth goal.
Warriors coach Micky Colina was rapt with the first win for 2015.
“It’s a pleasure to watch the things you work on come together in a match, the effort and commitment,” he said.
Colina also showed his gratitude to the Warriors faithful.
“Hats off again to our supporters. They’re amazing, coming to a mid-week match in Melbourne to show their commitment.
“The team feeds off that.”
