EAGLEHAWK'S start to its Bendigo Amateur Soccer League championsip defence has been soured by a season-ending injury to star player Alex Caldow.
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The attacking midfielder injured his ACL in the opening minutes of Sunday's season-opening clash against Shepparton United at Truscott Reserve and has been ruled out for the remainder of the year.
The injury took plenty of gloss off an otherwise admirable 1-all draw for the Hawks, who are chasing a fourth consecutive championship win under coach Greg Thomas.
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Eaglehawk was already without their leader, who was ruled ineligible for the season opener due to a carry-over suspension from last season's grand final loss to United.
The Hawks' three-time championship coach was miffed by his exclusion and claimed he was only advised of the one-match suspension less than hour before kick-off.
"I really don't know what was going on there," Thomas said.
The Hawks were further weakened by the unavailability of Scottish import Craig Rennie, whose is waiting on a clearance.
Thomas hopes he will be available for the Hawks' round two clash against Shepparton South this weekend.
The Hawks struck first with a goal to Nathan Hamblin in the eighth minute, before Fabrice Ebe countered for United with an equaliser in the 37th minute.
A 1-1 scoreline at half time was mirrored at full-time after neither side could find the back of the net in the latter part of the game.
Following plenty of setbacks, Thomas said he was rapt with his players' response to force a draw.
"We are more than happy with the result after everything that went wrong for us during the day," he said.
"It was really backs to the wall - the boys did well.
"I was really proud. With Alex going down we had to pull someone in from the reserves, who has nearly played a full game in the seniors.
"Shepparton United, along with Shepparton South, Tatura and Strathdale, look like being the sides who will be up there."
We are more than happy with the result after everything that went wrong for us during the day. It was really backs to the wall
- Greg Thomas
Meanwhile, Strathdale flexed its muscles early with a 7-1 victory over Golden City at Beischer No. 1 on Saturday.
Recruit Daniel Purdy, who has crossed to the Blues from Colts United, was in impressive touch and finished with three second half goals, as Strathdale converted a 1-0 half time lead into a six-goal win.
Kayle Thompson was the lone goal scorer for the Rams.
Moama-Echuca has been touted as big improvers and went some of the way to justifying that tag with a 7-1 win against Shepparton at home.
Mitch Langenbacher, Cooper Arkinstall and Ryan Perry all contributed two goals for the Border Raiders, who will be the first opponent for league newcomers La Trobe University next weekend, after the Eagles had a first-round bye.
Shepparton South opened the season with 4-2 win over Colts United despite trailing 1-2 at half time.
Second half goals to Joel Aitken, Callum Woodward and Kaine Humphries ensured a winning start for South, which is looking to improve on last season's third place finish.
Tatura and Epsom also had byes, while Spring Gully United is not fielding a division one team this season.
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