HOLBROOK’S ambitions of remaining a Hume league heavyweight received a reality check as a hungry and polished Osborne opened its season in style at Osborne on Saturday.
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Led by an eight-goal haul by premiership coach Daniel McAlister, the Cats belted the hapless Brookers to the tune of 99 points, running out 18.14 (122) to 3.5 (23) winners.
Holbrook has played in two of the past three deciders but could spend this season rebuilding after the departure of at least half-a-dozen regular senior players in the off season.
The Brookers attack lacked potency and could only manage three goals without last year’s league leading goalkicker James Breen (Diggers Rest), Jim Grills (Albury) and James Hodges (Wagga Tigers).
They were also without Sandy Hamilton (wedding), Tom Keogh (broken hand), Tom Power (knee) and Michael Lamb (knee).
McAlister was pleased with the win but cautioned fans and pundits alike not to get carried away with the Cats’ strong start to the year.
“We probably shocked ourselves as much as everyone else who saw the score,” McAlister said.
“We played a pretty exciting brand of footy with our young kids prepared to run.
“They bring enthusiasm to the side which helps us older blokes lift a notch or two.
“It was a good as start as we could have hoped for but have already moved on.”
Despite only training twice over the pre-season, veteran big man Hayden Gleeson was the Cats’ best in the ruck.