Victories were shared in the East Gippsland Junior Football Association fixture between the Orbost Snowy Rovers and Bairnsdale, played last Sunday at the Bairnsdale City Oval.
After a big pre-season, it was great to have the football back and the junior Rovers headed to Bairnsdale fit and raring to go, keen to impact their new found and honed skills on the opposition.
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The young Blues took the field, full of excitement and enthusiasm ready for the start of the 2025 season.
For some the day was their very first of hopefully many football games, while some were returning for their second season, already believing they are seasoned professional footballers.
Theodore Kuyper was everywhere, flying high, taking marks and surging the ball forward, while Molly Hardy worked in and under the packs, with Damon Edgell impressively taking down the opposition with some strong tackles.
Harlan Smith (two goals), Jack Joiner and Bodhi Kenny all ran the field racking up possessions, with the award winners being Kuyper and Edgell.
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After an impressive pre-season, the young Blues were keen to impress in round one and show off their exquisite skills.
Coach Tom Smith has been impressed by how far the skills have improved in recent weeks, and delighted with the effort in the first official hit out for 2025.
Silas Martin stood tall in ruck winning majority of taps to advantage, while Jasper Anderson (two goals) was superb across half back not letting anything past him.
Chad Rogers (three) flew high taking marks in the forward arc, ably supported by Kayden Smith (four) who broke the packs open and converted cleverly.
Jemma Martin was unstoppable, racking up the possessions at will as Orbost ran out commanding winners.
Anderson named in the best along side Jemma and Silas Martin.
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As the conditions turned sour for the afternoon, the Blues lost the toss giving the Redlegs a distinct advantage kicking with a strong breeze.
In a feisty start the Orbost tackling pressure was second to none with captain Jarrah Morrison and tough half back flanker Khysen Rowe working overtime and leading the way.
Holding the opposition to only two goals, the coaching staff were pleased, with defenders Zaid Nordstrom and Lachie Robinson leading the way with Jimmy Hardy keeping calm under pressure.
The conditions turned blustery and made hard work for the forwards with Alex Jenkins, Jacque Renault and Charlie Joiner seeing very limited opportunities, as the Blues had to wait to the third term to register their only major for the day.
Tojoe Martin, Mitch Herbert and Ethan Dawes battled hard all day, getting in and under the packs, while the hard running Daniel Martin was strong over the ball and covered the ground well.
In his first game for three years Jack Scott played a great roll in the ruck, having an influence all over the ground.
The under 15s were well supported by some great upcoming footballers from the under 13s who had just came off a great win, with Kayden Smith, Hunter Greaves, Hunter Findley and Hugh Scott all stepping up for their second game of the day and showing great enthusiasm and attacking the ball like seasoned veterans.
Unfortunately though it was Bairnsdale getting the points with a big 50-point win.
Orbost’s next game is on April 27, when it hosts the Lindenow Cats at Lochiel Park.
