Having broken a longstanding finals drought last season, the Redlegs entered 2026 on a high, and will no doubt be chock-full of confidence following Saturday’s win over Murchison-Toolamba, holding on for a 12.8 (80) to 11.8 (74) victory at Murchison Recreation Reserve.
It was a hot start to the contest and the Redlegs made the most of their opportunities going forward, taking a 2.2 (14) to 1.3 (9) lead into the first break despite both sides generating four scoring shots each.
The Hoppers found their radar in the second term, though, as they replied with 4.1 for the quarter to take the lead at the main break, with Longwood mustering 2.3 from five opportunities to trail 4.5 (29) to 5.4 (34).
The Redlegs came out firing in the third term, however, and where last year they showed they are no longer an easybeat, this year they are out to prove they are the real deal.
In a brilliant third quarter, Longwood restricted Murchison-Toolamba to 1.3, while piling on 5.1 themselves, opening up a game-high 17-point lead at the final change and putting themselves in the box seat for victory.
A Hoppers challenge was always going to come, though, and a five-goal final term saw the home side throw everything it had at the valiant Redlegs.
It wasn’t enough, as Longwood snagged three majors of their own to hold on for a thrilling six-point victory, sending a message to the rest of the league in the process that the Redlegs will be a tough proposition once again in 2026.
Skipper Jye Formosa led from the front in the win, named best afield, while Flynn Cook, Mitchell Hunter, Dillon Hardy, Luke McGennisken and Raafat Rachrache were all influential in the victory.
Aidan Lloyd was the Hoppers’ best despite the loss, booting seven majors to take his tally to 17 for the season through two games.
Elsewhere, 2025 runner-up Lancaster continued its bright start to the year with a 17.20 (122) to 7.9 (51) victory over Shepparton East at Lancaster Recreation Reserve with Thomas Davies named best afield, while Blake Larkins kicked five majors in Tallygaroopna’s 20.8 (128) to 4.4 (28) victory over Merrigum at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve.
Girgarre notched its first win of 2026 with a 17.14 (116) to 15.5 victory over Violet Town away from home, skipper Billy Barnes booting five for the Roos, while Avenel got its season off to a perfect start with a 18.19 (127) to 5.9 (39) win over Stanhope at Stanhope Recreation Reserve, with Zac Hill named best on closely followed by Nick Jolly, who booted seven.
In the final match of the round, Nagambie proved far too strong for Rushworth, dishing out a 18.15 (123) to 2.6 (18) belting at Rushworth Recreation Reserve, with 11 individual goalkickers hitting the scoreboard in the win.
