Colac District Football League start season with top two battle

The country footy season is officially up and running after a standalone clash in the state’s west but the losers aren’t too concerned about being on the wrong end of the result.

Everything except the scoreboard went right for Irrewarra Beeac as the Colac District league returned to action on Saturday.

The Bombers and Alvie were the first two teams to play for premiership points in local footy this season.

Alvie made amends for losing to the Bombers in the finals last year winning by six goals, 12.9 (81) to 6.9 (45).

Dominic Dare (six goals) and Patrick Seal (four) combined for 10 goals in the win.

Dominic Dare, in Simpson colours, kicked six goals for Alvie. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

For both teams playing the first match of the season wasn’t coincidence, it was planned, as both teams continue to make it a stand alone event.

“We’ve done it every year for the past eight years,” Irrewarra Beeac secretary Chris Dell said.

“We aim to do a stand alone game with hopefully good weather.

“No other competition has also started so we hope we might get more support from other clubs to have a look.”

Every year the game is held at Central Reserve, which is the home of the grand final and the major ground in Colac.

Dell said the game got great gate takings for the Bombers.

“The clubs put their heads together and came up with the idea,” she said.

“It was a very successful day. Every year we’ve had it the weather has been bad but mother nature turned it on.

“Our volunteers put their hand up on Saturday and did a very big job moving everything from our ground.

“It started Friday lunch time and will probably finish today at lunch time (Monday).”

Irrewarra Beeac had a tough day in both reserves (pictured) and seniors, losing both games. Picture: Irrewarra Beeac Football Netball Club.

On field Dell said the Bombers weren’t too worried about the result but conceded Alvie was better on the day.

“We beat Alvie last year and knocked them out of the finals,” she said.

“I don’t think they liked it. They were tough and too good for us today.”

Dell said the teams younger players Thomas Swayn, Tyrese Lenehan and Jason Cartwright played well with Cartwright excelling down back.

She hopes the team will find its form over the season, like last year, and finals success can happen again.

“I think we’ll go okay, we’ve got a couple of recruits,” she said.

“Boys have been training well so fingers crossed.”

Alvie president Luke McLennan said last year’s loss to the Bombers in the finals didn’t impact their performance.

“Last year is last year,” he said.

“You learn lessons, it’s a new year, new comp.

“Nothing from last year that happened went into our result.”

McLennan said the team gelled quickly with its new faces and Dominic Dare was great kicking six in the forward line.

He feels with the recruitment in the off-season the team is in prime position to do better than last year.

“We’re very happy with how our list has come together,” McLennan said.

“With natural progression through young guys, I think with the balance our side will be better than last year.”