For the first time since 2017 Clunes have claimed victory in round one of the Central Highlands Football League (CHFL), in dominant fashion with a 53-point over Creswick at the weekend.
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The Magpies led from start to finish at home, kicking 3.11 to Creswick's 0.5 in the second half to run away 10.18 (78) to 3.7 (25) winners.
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The side now sits atop the CHFL ladder, with a healthy percentage of 312.
Coach Johno Leoncini told The Courier he was impressed with the four quarter effort and it was a great reward for his side.
"I just was really pleased on the way the boys went about it. The biggest thing, as I said in our pre-game chat, it's all about living in the contest, being a side that wants to be 22 players playing together, that's the key," he said.
"I think just how we maintained it. Creswick are a physical side and there was times where you thought we may have lapsed a little bit, but what we did was we held strong with what we believe in and we continued to do that."
From 2016 to 2019 Clunes won just seven games. The last time it has won more than three games was in 2015 where it compiled a record of 6-11 and finished 13th on the ladder.
Leoncini said to start the year strong was important for his side to build confidence in their game plan.
"It's a big plus. We played for the Geoff Conn shield that's been going around since 1990 ... there's always been a massive rivalry between Creswick and Clunes," he said.
"It's so important for the community to see that Clunes is not just lying down anymore, that we're up and about and to see all the Clunes supporters around and smiles on their faces ... that's the big pleasing thing."
Clunes welcomed in five key recruits in 2021 and are missing only Lachlan Hull from its 2019 side.
Ryan and Josh Thompson returned from Avoca, Alex Bowd and John Fazzio joined from North Shore and Alex Riches made the move from North Ballarat.
Bowd and Riches were named among Clunes better players and the Thompson brothers both hit the scoreboard with a goal each.
Adding these senior, experienced senior players was important for the up-and-coming youth in the side, according to Leoncini.
"It's a matter of how do they fit in, where do they play, do they bring players into the game? The old cliche play your role, I think all of that put together and their good character people," he said.
"They bring that energy to the group and they're listening, showing that part where they want to learn and get better and I think that's really important because you just want to be the best version of yourself you possibly can."
Clunes faces Ballan away from home in round two.
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