Myrtleford off-season recruit Dawson Simpson plays first game
IMPROVING: Lavington's Grange McMahon was superb against the Saints and has quickly become a reliable defender since moving from ACT club Eastlake.
The off-season's highest-profile recruit in former GWS ruckman Dawson Simpson has played his first game.
The Myrtleford newcomer showed enough to indicate why there's enormous excitement about his arrival by kicking an early goal and rucking against Lavington in a preliminary final re-match.
Lavington sprung a handful of surprises in posting an upset win over Wangaratta in last year's grand final and again started with Nick Meredith in attack.
Meredith kicked two early goals from marks, which is a good sign after he broke his right collarbone in the premiership win.
Both teams were missing a host of top-liners, with Lavington without star forward Aidan Johnson, key position Brant Dickson and Riverina Football League newcomer Nick Perryman, who was playing with Osborne in the Hume League cricket finals, among others.
Inspirational Saints' coach Jake Sharp didn't take the field, rugged defender Nathan Laracy contested the reserves game, while former Geelong and Richmond recruit Taylor Hunt didn't play.
"I guess it's a pretty good gauge of where we're at and also where they're (Myrtleford's) at," Lavington's Jack Kirley said.
I guess it's a pretty good gauge of where we're at and also where they're (Myrtleford's) at.
Lavington's Jack Kirley
For a pre-season game, it was a terrific clash with both teams attacking the ball and linking up well in attack.
The senior teams played the first three stanzas before a number of reserve graders rounded out the high standard trial.
Lavington will be delighted with the successful return of two players from injury.
Tenacious defender Chris Annett impressed, while utility Lachie Gaffney played in the reserves game after missing 12 months with an ACL injury.
Former Brock-Burrum midfielder Nico Sedgwick was superb in his return to the league after six years, Grange McMahon looks like he's taken another step after impressing last season, while youngsters Liam Ross and Kirley also played well, delivering the ball in style.
Tim Hanna and Tom Yensch opposed Simpson in the ruck, while interleague ruckman Hanna also moved forward in what could be a sign for the season.
Saints' Mitch Dalbosco and Matt Dussin were prominent, while Ryley Sharp provided a focal target in the forward line, kicking two goals.
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In a rare non-playing role, Sharp will have learnt a lot from his team as he looks to fine-tune preparations over the coming weeks.
The pair will play its final practice games in a fortnight prior to the season start.
Lavington will host Wodonga, while Myrtleford faces a tougher test against Albury on April 4 with a charity game as a curtain-raiser to that match.