LVFNL flag favourite Bridgewater took the best part of three quarters to shake off a gallant Bears Lagoon Serpentine in round two action on Saturday.
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Playing their first game of the season, the Mean Machine had to work hard for their 19.18 (132) to 10.10 (70) win.
"The scoreboard probably flattered us, it was a really hard contest,'' Bridgewater co-coach Jayden Donaldson said.
"It was an even contest until the final 10 minutes of the third quarter.
"The game could have gone either way and then we kicked three or four goals late in that third quarter to give us a five-goal breathing space.
"In the last quarter both teams were out on their feet. I don't think either team had anyone fit on the bench by the five-minute mark of the last quarter.
"It was a physical contest and there were a lot of sore boys out there."
The stars of Bridgewater's big win were two former Strathfieldsaye players - Caillum Brady and Josh Martyn.
Brady had a big impact off half-back with his run and carry.
Martyn was a thorn in the Bears' defence, kicking seven of Bridgewater's 19 goals.
Harry McKinley had a memorable first senior game for the Mean Machine.
"Harry played across half-forward and led up at the footy all day,'' Donaldson said.
"He was brilliant. He made a fair impression for his first game."
Ruckman Nathan Twigg was clearly the Bears' best player.
The big man dominated the hit-outs and gave his midfielders first use of the ball.
Brodie Hawke was damaging at the stoppages for the Bears, while Darcy Poulter followed up his strong round performance with another solid game.
"Serp were really competitive, they were well-drilled and they'll be hard to beat all year,'' Donaldson said.
"They have a real crack."
Maiden Gully YCW made it two wins from as many games when it defeated Calivil United by 99 points.
After not kicking a goal for the match in round one, Calivil United kicked three goals in the opening quarter against the Eagles.
The undermanned Demons couldn't maintain the intensity they showed in the opening term and the Eagles kicked clear to win 21.9 (135) to 5.6 (36).
"We expected Calivil to respond after what had happened the week before,'' Eagles' coach Wayne Mitrovic said.
"When you don't kick a goal as a club you're always going to be a bit more fired up to do something about it the next week.
"They were hard at the contest, they had a crack and got the ball forward.
"After quarter-time we capitalised on our opportunities. To kick 20 goals for the day shows that we've got some avenues to goal."
Nat McLaren had a day out for the Eagles.
The speedy midfielder overcame an ankle injury to kick seven goals.
"He hurt his ankle at training through the week,'' Mitrovic said of McLaren.
"He had the ball on a string early and then he spent most of the second half in the forward line.
"He looked dangerous every time he got the ball...he was dominant."
Small defender Riley Hamilton had a great game until injuring his hand, while ruckman Chris Howgate was damaging around the ground.
Leighton Coe, Bailey Greenwood and Tim Lloyd were the better players for a Calivil side that put in a much better performance compared to round one.
The Demons gave another tough task next week against Pyramid Hill, while MGYCW faces its sternest test of the season so far against Marong.
Pyramid Hill forward Braidy Dickens propelled the Bulldogs to a 51-point win over Newbridge.
After kicking 10 goals in round one, Dickens backed up with an eight-goal haul in his side's 14.17 (101) to 7.8 (50) victory.
The rebuilding Maroons defended stoutly and were within 25 points of their highly-rated opponents at the final change.
Pyramid Hill ran out the game strongly and added 5.5 to 1.3 in the final term to put the Maroons away.
Aside from Dickens' standout performance, the most pleasing sign for the Dogs was the debut of Matt Pollock.
The Leitchville-Gunbower premiership midfielder was dominant at the stoppages and hit the scoreboard himself.
His ex-Leitchville team-mate Matt Ladson and consistent rover Billy Micevski were solid again.
Assistant coach Harry Whittle kicked three goals to be best for the Maroons, while Logan Dixon and Mac Whittle were four-quarter performers.
Reigning premier Mitiamo outclassed Inglewood at John Forbes Oval.
The Superoos kicked 22.11 to 0.3 after quarter-time to run out convincing winners, 28.13 (181) to 2.3 (15).
The Downie brothers had a day out inside forward 50 for Mitiamo - Brent bagged a game-high seven goals and Tyrone chipped in with four.
Highly-touted recruit Lee Dale won the footy at will and kicked three goals, while Nathan Twigg and Dylan Mutu impressed.
Thomas Alexander, Tynan Hywood, Nathan Wallace and Joshua Taig were named best for the Blues.
NEXT WEEK
ROUND 3
- Bridgewater v Inglewood
- Mitiamo v Newbridge
- Pyramid Hill v Calivil United
- MGYCW v Marong
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