By Colin MacGillivray

Ararat Eagles got their Mininera and District football season off to a great start at the weekend, but there were mixed results for other teams in the region.

The Eagles beat SMW Rovers 15.18 (108) to 8.6 (54), with three goals each to Tom Cousins and coach Tom Taurau leading the way.

Also handy for the Eagles were Ryan Weppner, Mason Kelly, Jackson Taurau, Luke Briggs and Sam Summers.

While Ararat saw early returns from its off-season recruiting campaign, the same did not hold for Great Western, which went down to Glenthompson-Dunkeld 17.11 (113) to 9.4 (68).

The Lions paid for a slow start, trailing by 31 points at quarter time.

Thereafter the match was more even, but the damage had already been done.

Nick Costello was Great Western’s best player with six goals, while onballer Tom Cairns, skipper Caleb Bacely and full forward Jeremy Cronin were among other key contributors.

Midfielder Kobi Walters was best afield for the Rams, while Zach Burgess matched Costello’s haul with six goals of his own.

Reigning premier Tatyoon also came up empty at its first outing, falling to Woorndoo-Mortlake 8.13 (61) to 5.9 (39) in a 2023 grand final rematch.

The Hawks were best served by Trent Baird, James Shanhun and Sam Phillips, while Haydn Templeton led the Tigers to victory with a starring performance in the middle.

Moyston-Willaura was no match for Lismore-Derrinallum, losing 18.20 (128) to 3.6 (24), with full back Ned Bohner doing his best to hold up a defence that was under siege all day.

Penshurst grabbed top spot on the ladder with a thumping win against Caramut, 28.30 (198) to 2.5 (17).

All eyes will turn to Ararat’s Alexandra Oval this weekend as former AFL Brownlow medallist Dane Swan suits up for the Eagles against Great Western.

Tatyoon will have a chance to rebound at Caramut, while Moyston-Willaura hosts Penshurst.

Other matches will pit Glenthompson-Dunkeld against Lismore-Derrinallum at Dunkeld; Wickliffe-Lake Bolac play SMW Rovers at Lake Bolac; and Woorndoo-Mortlake face Hawkesdale-Macarthur at Woorndoo.

The entire April 24, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire April, 24, 2024 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!