The Roos’ wretched build-up to the season got even worse when star recruit Sam Carpenter and James Svarc joined a bulging injury list which has already claimed up and coming on-baller Hayden Filliponni for the season.

The club’s lack of manpower was evident when 2003 premiership teammates Jason MacFarlane, Cade Mills, Matt Witherden and former junior and Essendon draftee Aaron Henneman were reunited in the reserves game.

In comparison, Lavington was closer to full strength, but took until the second half to kick clear of its never-say-die opponent.

The Panthers led by eight points at quarter time and threatened to blow the game apart in the second term, but a poor return of 1.6 was attributable in part to the pressure applied by the Roos.

Like Garland, John Hunt, Tom Hargreave and Mitch Palmer ensured the Panthers had an edge around the ground and coach James Saker and Nick Meredith regularly frustrated the Roos when they ventured forward.

At the other end of the ground, the Roos had clear winners in Kade Kuschert and Al Austin in their direct battles with Justin Koschitzke and Adam Prior respectively.

Kuschert was highly effective in taking six intercept marks among 10 for the match.

Koschitzke finished the match on the bench with his knee iced up and lower leg heavily strapped.

The Panthers’ most effective key forward was Andrew Dess, who dragged in eight marks in addition to his two goals in his comeback match for the club.

Jay Banks, who back-flipped on a decision to leave the Panthers, was back to his dangerous best around goal in finishing with three.

Lavington clearly won the inside 50 metres count 53-34 and Jamarl O’Sullivan helped the Panthers to an edge in the hitouts 36-28.

Saker conceded the match wasn’t one for the purists, but was content to bag four points ahead of return bout with preliminary final nemesis, Yarrawonga.

“We are happy to get the win and credit to Corowa the way they pressured us,” he said.

“Our skill level was pretty poor because of their pressure.

“But I am not overly happy with the way we played.

“We got on top in the game but we just didn’t execute anywhere near we would like.”

Another upside of the Roos performance was the senior debuts of Jack Schilg and Jordan Lavis.

Schilg is still eligible to play at under-16 level and Lavis handled the step up from the Hume league.

James Brain also made his presence felt.

Roos coach Bryce Campbell said the injury crisis could be close to ending with himself, Carpenter, Svarc, Hayden Singhe and Tyson Logie to return by round three.

“We were definitely undermanned, but I was proud of the group we had out there today,” Campbell said.

“There is a huge upside to our list.

“Not often you have your 27th best player playing round one.

“We are looking forward to getting those injured players back.

“Between now and then it is just a management process.”