It was a tale of two halves at Waubra as the Kangaroos faced Dunnstown, but the reigning premiers proved too strong in the end, 17 points the better.
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After the 2019 premiership flag was raised, Waubra kicked 8.4.(52) 1.3.(9) in the first term. The game evened up and some feeling and intensity returned in the next three quarters, Waubra holding on to claim a 12.11.(83) to 9.12.(66) win.
Waubra coach Matt James told The Courier it was a pleasing result to win round one, albeit closer than he had hoped it would get.
"It was good to get a win I guess, we played really good footy in the first quarter and then from there it was a bit of hard work," he said.
"Got away with a win, Dunnstown probably missed a few opportunities that they could have taken and if they had of gone their way the game could have been a bit of a different finish ... we're just happy to get away with four points."
Waubra had set the foundation for a huge win, kicking three goals within the first five minutes with a strong breeze.
Ruckman Geordie Lukich started strongly, finding Linc Barnes for perfect clearances on multiple occasions to give the forwards clear, first use.
Waubra's skills cut up Dunnstown early, its quick hands and set ups around stoppages proving an issue for the visitors.
It continued its strong form in the second term, kicking 2.4 to Dunnstown's 3.3 to take a 38-point lead into half time.
The second half was a different story however.
Will Henderson and Angus Thompson provided some great run and carry from half back and recruit Khyle Forde got on top in the middle of the ground.
Kicking against the wind in the third term Dunnstown was able to lose the quarter by just one point and give themselves a chance going into the final quarter, down by 39 points.
James said the visitors got on top of his side in the second half.
"I just think they were better around the ball. Our numbers said it was pretty even but I just felt like they had better clearances and were able to actually get the footy going their direction more often," he said.
"They moved the ball and kicked and marked well through the centre of the ground and we sort of didn't get any chains like that, they were pretty impressive."
A goal from outside 50 from Forde to start the fourth quarter gave the visitors hope, the deficit reduced to 32 points with a long way to go and a strong wind behind them.
It was an arm wrestle from then on however, Dunnstown kicking themselves out of a miracle come from behind win, kicking 3.5 to one behind for the term.
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