AN undermanned CDHBU was forced to dig deep to overcome a vastly improved Murray Magpies in its opening round Hume league clash at Lavington Oval on Saturday.
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The Power trailed by one point at the final change but booted 3.4 to two goals straight, snatching a 11.15 (81) to 11.6 (72) victory.
Corey Lambert’s charges threatened to cause an upset after they led by 11 points at the main break but the Power’s superior fitness became a telling factor as the match wore on.
Power coach Brad Talbot said he was happy just to secure the four points in what was often a scrappy affair.
“It was only round one and it wasn’t pretty that’s for sure,” Talbot said.
“We didn’t play to our best but we found a way to win which was the main thing.
“We had a big pre-season and I was confident we had the legs to run over the top of them.
“But full credit to the Magpies, they have definitely improved and were hard at it and it’s good to see they are on the way up.”
CDHBU went into the match without boom recruit Luke Cowan (hamstring tightness) and struggled to find a reliable avenue to goal with spearhead Doug Lavis and Jeremy Stevenson well held by the Magpies defence.
The Power was best served by rugged midfielder Josh Lewis while Corowa-Rutherglen recruit Nathan Rhodes also showed flashes of brilliance.
The Magpies suffered a blow in the third quarter with key defender Josh Senior going down with a suspected shoulder injury and could be without the North Alb-ury recruit for several weeks.
Lavington recruit Alex Jones was the Magpies best alongside wiry wingman Jarman Teesdale who ran hard all day and kicked two crucial goals to keep his side in the contest.
In other matches Brock-Burrum unleashed an eight-goal final term to run out convincing 36 points winners over Howlong.
With the match in the balance at the final change form coach Darryn McKimmie alongside Darcy I’Anson and John-Roy Williams lifted their work rate to ensure a Saints victory.
McKimmie capped a polished display with six goals.
Henty outclassed Billabong Crows with a thumping 144 point win.
The Swampies midfield comprising Heath Ohlin, Simon Hillier, Sam Murray and Joel Klemke ran riot to create plenty of opportunities for forwards Jason Brown and Ryan Hon who combined for seven goals.
Lockhart enjoyed a 65-point victory over Walla.
The Demons victory was soured after boom recruit and former North Melbourne player David Trotter limped off with a hamstring complaint.