Balwyn’s Charlie Haley boots five in Good Friday blitz

There were no worries for Balwyn or a star goalsneak as they banked an emphatic season-opening win over Blackburn on Good Friday.

BALWYN’s season has started with a bang following a demolition job of Blackburn on Good Friday.

The Tigers’ stranglehold on the match was never threatened as they led at all changes to prevail by 62 points, 13.19 (97) to 4.11 (35) at Morton Park.

A familiar star led the charge for the visitors as Charlie Haley kicked five goals in an unstoppable performance, finishing with 5.5.

Balwyn’s Charlie Haley couldn’t be stopped on Good Friday. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Balwyn jumped the young Panthers with a 27-point quarter-time lead before increasing the margin to 34 and 59 at the main break and final change.

Haley’s three opening-half majors were highlighted by a miraculous goal in the shadows of half-time.

The flying shot looked certain for the boundary deep in the pocket, when a ‘leg-break’ style bounce guided it through the big sticks.

Balwyn senior coach Rodney Eade said his ever-reliable goalsneak’s performance was made more impressive by a limited pre-season.

“He probably should’ve kicked eight, and he’s come off a limited preparation – he only played the one game six weeks ago so he hasn’t played at all with an ankle injury,” Eade said.

“The last six weeks he hasn’t been able to train, so full credit to him to be able to deliver what he could today.”

New Balwyn centre half-back Michael Casey flies for a spoil. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Eade said it was a “pretty even performance across the ground” after Blackburn controlled the opening few minutes of play.

Despite inaccuracy in front of goal which he described as “a bit of a disappointment”, Eade couldn’t fault his side’s first showing for premiership points in nine months.

“I thought except for the first seven or eight minutes, we controlled it, our pressure was good and we moved the ball well … I think we hardly missed a tackle,” Eade said.

“(But) we didn’t take as much of an advantage of the chances we had (in front of goal).”

Balwyn coach Rodney Eade addresses his group on Good Friday. Picture: Davis Harrigan

The Tigers coach pointed to ruckman Chevy Andersen’s presence as a standout “with some great marking around the ground”, while he also credited the performances of Bowen Smith and Nathan Oakes in the midfield and Yarran Jaffer-Williams across half-forward.

Oakes was among a host of new names unveiled for Balwyn, with Jack and Will Sexton slotting in nicely in attack and defence, while ex-Yarrawonga young gun Matt Casey also impressed the coach down back.

“He’s generally come as a forward but we’re playing him as a centre-half back and he’s getting better each week,” Eade said of Casey.

“He’s just adding another dimension to help Kris (Pendlebury) down back – having two (tall defenders) just helps us have a strong spine down there and he’s able to give Kris a break at times too.”

Balwyn hosts Park Orchards in Round 2 while Blackburn is away to South Croydon on Anzac Day.