The Bendigo Pioneers started their 2019 NAB League Boys campaign in perfect style on Sunday.
The Pioneers proved too strong for competition power the Geelong Falcons by 43 points in Colac.
A six-goal to none opening term was the catalyst for the 13.8 (86) to 6.7 (43) win.
"It's a bit hard going into round one beacuse you don't know where the opposition is at and you have no form to be guided by,'' Pioneers coach Rick Coburn said.
"We were really happy with the pre-season we had and we were confident with our preparation.
"Today was a fitting result for us."
The Pioneers kicked with the aid of the breeze in the opening quarter and put the Falcons under pressure straight away.
"The boys executed really well, outnumbered Geelong at the contest and took all their chances,'' Coburn said.
The Pioneers kicked three goals against the breeze in the second quarter to maintain a 33-point lead at the main break.
The Falcons lifted their intensity after half-time and put the Pioneers under pressure.
The Bendigo backline held up strongly and restricted the home side to just two goals in the second half.
First-gamer Riley Wilson was named best for the Pioneers after collecting 21 possessions and kicking one goal.
"Riley was really good for most of the day,'' Coburn said.
"He started forward today and finished through the midfield."
Skipper James Schischka had 15 kicks and nine handballs across half-back and full-back Will Wallace impressed with 19 possessions.
"James weathered the storm really well for us, particularly when Geelong came back at us in the middle part of the game,'' Coburn said.
"Will played a really attacking game. He won a lot of the footy and ran off his opponent well."
In a pleasing sign for the club, the Pioneers' under-16 development side scored a narrow win over the Geelong Falcons.
"The boys played really well to win by a goal or so,'' Coburn said.
"They led for most of the day and probably could have won by more with the scoring opportunities they had."
Meanwhile, the Bendigo Pioneers under-18 girls went down to the Geelong Falcons by 49 points.
A gallant Pioneers' side gave their all against the powerful Geelong outfir, but the home side's bigger bodies proved too strong.
Top-of-the-table Geelong won 9.5 (59) to 1.4 (10).
Brooke Hards continued her great form and was named Bendigo's best player.
Defender Kate Douglass played her best game of the season, while Elizabeth Snell and Maeve Tupper worked hard through the midfield.
Jordyn Jolliffe and Dakota Villiva rounded out the Pioneers' best players.
The Pioneers (1-2) are on the road again next Saturday when they play the Murray Bushrangers (2-1).
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