LBU pounces on inaccurate L-G in season opener

LBU jumped out quickly, establishing a three-goal lead by quarter-time, 31-13.

The second term swung L-G’s way, but the Bombers only took the period by three points 22-19, despite putting through seven scores to four.

It was a similar story throughout the second half with L-G posting 1.3 (9) and 1.6 (12) third and fourth terms, while the Cats had the opposite experience, managing 3.1 (19) and 4.1 (25) in the final two periods.

“It was always a bit of an unknown of how well we're going to gel quickly and how well we were going to be able to put it out on the park,” LBU coach Stacy Fiske said.

“It was a good result in the fact that it all came together the way that we wanted it to, so it was very big positive for us going forward.”

New recruit Stuart Taylor, signed from Moama in the off-season, started the game on the interchange but made an impact once he arrived on the park, kicking six goals to lead the Cats.

“He's really come to our club and made a statement, not just on the field but off the field,” Fiske said.

“He's obviously only been at the club four or five months now, and he's already got himself into the leadership group and being a really vocal leader on the training track and on the field, too.

“It was nice for him to continue to do that, but also to have a good game and all the hard work that he’s put in over the off-season resulted in a really strong performance in his first game in the hoops.”

Fiske said this year’s recruiting class had filled a number of gaps within the squad.

“We've always had some really top-liners and quality players here already, we just really needed to make sure we went out and got some players that really complimented the players we already had, which I think we've done pretty well,” he said.

“Especially (getting) a bit of youth too, and a bit more speed, which is something I think we lacked a little bit in the previous year.

“On top of that, with those numbers it was about adding a bit of depth to our playing roster, so that we can put a little bit more pressure on spots.”

“Blokes (are) getting the best out of themselves because they know there’s the quality of 30 blokes that can play senior footy for us this year.”

Cats fall to Bombers

It was a disappointing start to the 2024 campaign for LBU’s revamped A-grade netball side, with the Cats falling to an also heavily restructured Leitchville-Gunbower 66-24.

The debuts of new Cats coach Ash Cullen and high-profile recruits Jess Davidson and Kate Pearson was spoiled by the Bombers, who fielded an almost completely reworked squad, with six of the seven players named to start new recruits.

In other results in the HDNL, White Hills accounted for Huntly 70-28, Heathcote defeated Mount Pleasant 53-33 and Elmore emerged ahead of Colbinabbin 57-52.

Round two of the HDFNL on Saturday, April 13, will see Lockington-Bamawm United travel to Heathcote, while Leitchville-Gunbower will host Colbinabbin in Gunbower.