Gallery | Cobram roars to life in Murray Netball League season opener

Cobram was in control for most of the match — disregarding a comeback from Barooga late in the first half — and won the game by 13 goals in a low-scoring affair (38-25).

Tigers coach Robbie Glass said he was impressed with his side’s defensive efforts in its first hit-out of the year.

“Kate Bird was fantastic and I think everyone in our defensive circle was huge as well,” he said.

“It was just a good team performance.

“We had a bit of a lapse towards the end of the second quarter and they got back very close to levelling up, or they might have even levelled up, but then we had a really, really strong third quarter and got out to a reasonably comfortable lead and we were able to hold that.”

Despite heated conditions as temperatures reached the low 30s, Glass believes his team was relatively unaffected throughout the match, with the Tigers escaping without any injuries.

“We got through unscathed and we were able to use the rolling subs really well and to our benefit,” he said.

“We were able to move through the heat and get on with the game in not a bad way and I think everyone has pulled up pretty well and onwards to next week.

“I think the girls, because we are so young, I think we need to take some confidence from it as we are going to come up against a lot more experienced teams than us and it is just making sure we back what we are trying to do.

“We know that Finley next week is going to be a huge, huge challenge because they have recruited pretty well, but we are really looking forward to it.”

The Tigers’ round two match against the Cats should be closely contested as Finley will come out firing following a loss against one of the flag favourites Deniliquin.

Away from home, the Cats put up a fight against the Rams, but Deniliquin, led by coach and 2023 best-and-fairest winner Rhiannan Maxwell, were too strong for the up-and-coming Cats, defeating them by 16 goals (62-46).

Last year’s premier Tongala started its season on the right foot with a 15-goal victory over Nathalia at home.

Meanwhile, Moama put its name into premiership contention after it monstered Echuca United in its opening match.

The Magpies were dominant from the start and won the match 77-14 in a dominant display.

Mulwala started its season with a victory after it defeated Congupna at home by eight goals in a tight contest.

Last but not least, Rumbalara flexed its muscles in a high-scoring match against Numurkah (74-40) at Numurkah Showgrounds.

Rumbalara now sits second on the ladder heading into its round two match against top-placed Moama.