BROADFORD had to start somewhere on Saturday – while the scoreboard read multiple significant losses to South Bendigo on the football field and the netball court, the overriding feeling was relief for the club that it was finally able to enjoy getting its Saturday afternoon joy back.
The Kangaroos knew there would be tough days coming into the Bendigo Football Netball League after two years in isolation, away from the football world.
However, there were some positive moments for the Roos, despite the games suggesting moments were few and far away.
On the football field, an exceptionally strong South Bendigo reminded the Roos that they still have a way to go in the seniors, kicking 32 goals in a 205-point rout, 32.26 (218) to 2.1 (13).
An 11-goal haul from key spearhead Kaiden Antonowicz drove the Bloods towards kicking a good score as he proved impossible to stop, while Brock Harvey and Brody Haddow kicked three goals apiece as 12 individual goalkickers got on the board.
Seven goals to nil in the first quarter allowed the Bloods to kick away to a 49-point lead at the first change, while 10 goals to one behind in the second term meant it was 114 points at the main break.
However, there were distinct positives in the third quarter as Broadford had its first opportunity to cheer long and hard for the day.
Working hard to win a centre clearance and creating a forward half stoppage, an excellent handball from Oliver Lubeck to Tynan Howard delivered a quick snap out of a pack, which created Broadford’s first ever goal in the Bendigo Football Netball League.
Soon after, the Roos had a second just minutes later, with Rhys Carman earning a 50-metre penalty to kick a second from the goalsquare.
After a tough opening half, there was some hope.
South Bendigo still took charge throughout the term to kick eight goals, extending its margin to 156 points by the final change.
As Broadford players felt the toll of its first game together, cramping up at will, South Bendigo continued to waltz through and kick goals, adding seven more to make it 205 points – but for the Broadford community who just wanted football back, it was rather elementary, and now they can look forward to a first road trip and appearance on the Queen Elizabeth Oval when it takes on Sandhurst in two weeks’ time.
New Carlton VFL recruit Jaiden Magor was unveiled by the Roos and he didn’t let them down in his first game, named best for the club, while Brodie Stray, Louis Thompson, Taiten Thomas and captain Adam Miles were also prominent.
Broadford’s reserves had a good dip for three quarters, but a 10-goal to nil third quarter blew out the margin to 151 points, with South Bendigo winning 23.14 (152) to 0.1 (1).
South Bendigo led by 29 points at the first change, and 61 at the main break, before the aforementioned run by the Bloods allowed them to lead by 124 points at the final change, before adding four goals in the final term.
Tyrell Dunne fought hard, as did Sean Duggan, Nic May, Jarrah Younger and Andrew Pope.
It was the under 18s that kicked off the dew throughout the morning, losing by 132 points.
South Bendigo kicked away to a 40-point lead in the first term, kicking six goals to a behind, extending its advantage to 77 points after kicking five goals to one behind in the second term and made it 104 points at the final change with four goals for the term.
Another four goals in the final quarter allowed the Bloods to score 19.21 (135) to 0.3 (3).
No best players were recorded at the time of production for the Kangaroos.
On the netball court, the Kangaroos also got its season underway, and although it was a loss first up to South Bendigo, the Roos will take some key learnings out of their four matches.
The Roos will field teams in A grade, B grade, B reserve and 17 and under this season.
The 17 and under had the most competitive result, losing 20-47.
B reserve had a tougher time of it, losing 13-76, while B grade lost 16-53.
A grade managed to score the most goals for the day, losing 25-87 in its first encounter.