Sam Carpenter.
BOOM recruit Sam Carpenter showed why he is rated so highly after an impressive pre-season performance for new club Wangaratta Rovers.
The former Corowa- Rutherglen midfielder was one of the Hawks’ best in Saturday’s 77-point win away to Goulburn Valley league grand finalist Seymour.
The 2009 Morris medallist runner-up, who joined the Hawks from Chelsea, was used mainly on the ball and down back in the 20.15 (135) to 9.4 (58) win in humid conditions.
The clubs played four 25-minute quarters, with the Hawks then playing in a 25-minute intraclub game.
Hawks coach Mick Caruso said he was happy to come through the match without injuries.
“We experimented and rotated players all over the place,” he said.
“We played our best team in the first half and then changed it up in the second half.
“Our next team held their own in the second half.
“Seymour had a few out but it was a good hit-out for us.”
Daniel McCullough was a livewire up forward for the Hawks, who were missing Andy Hill, Kyle Raven, Ryan Cobain, Ben Kneebone, Josh Newton and John Pratt.
Other Hawks to impress were key defender Tyson Hartwig, utility Hayden Lowe and youngsters Coen Hennessy and James Smith, while Saad Saad, who booted 117 goals for the Lions last year, was among Seymour’s best.
Rovers will now turn their attention to a practice match away to Benalla on Friday.
The Saints hosted Wangaratta on Saturday and while scores weren’t kept, new Benalla coach Luke Morgan said it was an even contest.
Big-name Pies Ben Davies, James Wong and Matt Grossman all played.
Meanwhile, Myrtleford played an intraclub match at McNamara Reserve yesterday, with star recruit Kristan Height and big man Matt Spencer among those to impress.
Josh Chapman, Jay Dale, Reece Corcoran and Nathan Cossignani were strong performers, while playing co-coach Brad Murray was unavailable.