Melton Centrals overcame windy conditions to open their Riddell District Football League season on a high on Saturday.
The strong wind meant the ball spent more than 90 per cent of the game in one half of the ground and Centrals made the most of their opportunities against Rockbank.
Neither side kicked a goal in the first quarter.
With the wind advantage in the second quarter Centrals kicked five goals. The Rams kicked the only goal of the third quarter.
Centrals put their foot down in the last, kicking eight to win 13.14 (92)-1.5 (11).
Centrals coach Mathew Sproule said he was happy with a win in conditions that didn’t suit their game-style.
“We thought we would win comfortably as we know Rockbank has been struggling and we’re pretty happy with our list at the moment,” Sproule said.
“We had a dominate game even when we were going against the wind, we should have kicked a few goals at that end as well.
“I was pretty happy with the performance all day.”
Sproule said their pressure around the contest was the most pleasing aspect of the game as they had worked hard on that area during the off season.
“Our tackling and intensity were the best part,” he said.
“It’s probably not our strongest point as we don’t have too many inside mids, so to do that and compete really well in that area is great.
“We’ve got a team that can play on this ground and our tackling pressure should be up. We were able to get some turnovers and we’ve got some handy forwards who can kick some goals as well.”
Dylan Weir kicked five goals on debut for Centrals. He and former Deer Park player Bosko Micevski are the two key recruits up forward for Centrals.
“I coached Dylan at Port Arlington and I’m rapt he has come down and he’s loving it as well,” Sproule said.
“Bobby [Bosko] didn’t get a lot of goals, but was good in the second quarter at centre half-forward.
“It frees up Jimmy Aquilina, who has been playing full forward. Means he gets the third defender.”
Sproule said Blake Henderson in the ruck was best on ground, while Michael Callus, Lloyd Briggs, Cooper Pepi and 16-year-old Lachlan Phillips were also handy contributors.
The Rams face Woodend-Hesket on Saturday night in the first night game at Gilbert Gordon Reserve.
Both sides had big wins in round one.
“We’re pretty confident on closing the gap on everyone, but we don’t know how that will reflect with wins,” Sproule said.
Meanwhile, Romsey and Diggers Rest will have to wait another week to get their seasons under way.
The two sides were due to do battle on Saturday night in both the netball and football at Romsey Park, but the matches were postponed after fallen power lines cut power to the ground.
Wallan came away with the points in the other match, easily accounting for Broadford, 19.10 (124)-4.3 (27).
