By Justin Flynn
Portarlington broke a 68-game Bellarine Football League losing streak with a rousing Good Friday win against Newcomb, sending its home fans home with smiles on their faces.
The Demons have recruited impressively this off-season and none was more important than former Hawthorn livewire Teia Miles, who booted five goals in a best afield display.
The 15.13(103) to 10.12(72) win was the Demons’ first since July 2018.
Newcomb pair Jack Duke (five goals) and Josh Saltalamacchia (four) couldn’t have done much more.
In a battle of last season’s grand finalists, Torquay sent an ominous warning to its opponents with a 53-point win against Drysdale at Spring Creek Reserve on Easter Sunday.
Gun Newtown & Chilwell recruit Matthew Boag was best afield and showed that he will be a nightmare matchup this season.
Drysdale had its moments, but ultimately couldn’t keep up with the rampaging Tigers. Final scores 18.16(124) to 11.5(71).
Lucas Anderson and Tom Diamond each booted three goals for the reigning premiers while Tom Ruggles kicked three for Drysdale.
Former Adelaide and Hawthorn player Kyle Hartigan booted four goals as Queenscliff opened the season on a high against Ocean Grove.
The Grubbers were in front by six points at the last change in a see-sawing encounter, but Queenscliff booted six goals to one in the final term to run out winners, 15.14(104) to 12.8(80).
Ocean Grove coach Dave Farrell was pleased with many aspects of his side’s game, but paid tribute to Queenscliff.
“For periods of the game we were really good, especially in the first half we strung together good moments and you couldn’t help but get excited by the way the boys were playing,” he said.
“Queenscliff played some really consistent footy and have some real fire power forward when they get the footy in quickly.”
Will Baker also kicked four for Queenscliff while Brady Pritchard showed he is in for another good season with four for the Grubbers and ruckman Ed Dayman was terrific.
Anglesea showed it is set for improvement with an impressive performance against Barwon Heads.
Anglesea had multiple avenues to goal and dominated the Seagulls on the counter attack in a 17.15(117) to 12.9(81) triumph.
Onballer Will Batson was instrumental in the victory, forward Jack Baker was good and former Heads product Noah McGregor-Dawson played well against his old side.
Defender Kyle Polley started the season well for the Seagulls while small Sammy Baker (four goals) looked dangerous and 16-year-old second gamer Angus Ford impressed with 16 touches and two goals.
Geelong Amateur’s impressive recruiting spree paid dividends with a 13.11(89) to 9.8(62) win against Modewarre.
The consistent Daniel Grose was best for Ammos while Tom Gorell booted four majors.
St Joseph’s premiership player Josh Hovery was best for Modda and former Geelong and Bendigo VFL star Matthew Farrelly was superb.
