Bendigo Pioneers stormed back into the contest in the last, kicking three goals to draw within a point, two behinds later it hit the lead in what would eventually be the final margin – the Pioneers prevailing 10-8 (68) – 9.13 (67).

Coach Marc Greig felt there was a range of reasons for the loss of momentum, a drop in competitiveness being one – while it had just 48 touches and four marks in the final term.

“We showed really good signs in the first three quarters,” Greig said.

“I just thought we went back into our shells.

“It was a lot of little things in that last quarter...the competitiveness dropped away, tackles were down and just some really basic errors that shouldn’t be made at TAC Cup level.”

Losing Angus Gove (corky) and Tom Berry (soreness), who ran into the point post, also did not help the Rebels’ cause.

Meanwhile, it was much better news for the girls, who opened their 2018 account with a 33-point win over the Pioneers.

The Rebels dominated the game, as reflected by having 16 scoring shots to three.

Coach Rhys Cahir was pleased with the display, saying his girls adapted well to the conditions.

“We just played simple footy, get numbers there and keep forcing it forward,” Cahir said.

Georgia Clarke and Sophie Molan leading the way in the 6.10 (46) – 2.1 (13) victory.