MPNFL 2019: Karingal recruit Marc Holt helps Bulls to first-up win over Devon Meadows

Marc Holt was so keen to do well for his new club Karingal that he was beset with nerves before Sunday’s game against Devon Meadows.

Marc Holt kicks his first goal for Karingal against Devon Meadows on Sunday.

Marc Holt was so keen to do well for his new club Karingal that he was beset by nerves before Sunday’s game against Devon Meadows.

And early on, it showed — the champion missing a sitter from in front in the opening quarter at Glover Reserve.

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By half-time he still hadn’t opened his account.

But you don’t kick 1000 goals by chance and at the 16 minute mark of the third quarter Holt thumped a 49m bomb from beside the boundary line that sailed straight through the middle.

He caught fire, and so did Karingal.

Holt finished with 4.5 and was a key figure as the Bulls turned a 21-point half-time deficit into a 14-point victory, 12.14 (86) to 10.12 (72), in the Jason Hammond Cup in front of a big crowd — many who were there to watch the former Cranbourne star.

Marc Holt celebrates his first goal for Karingal. Picture: Leigh Davies

“He was really nervous before the game,’’ Karingal coach Brendan Dunne said.

“A new club, expectation and all that…I think once he got that first goal he breathed a sigh of relief and felt at home.

“We weren’t helping him in the first half the way we were using the footy.’’

Holt wore the No. 77 jumper and looked strong and fit in the red and white.

Dunne said he’s already earned the respect of his teammates.

“He’s going to be great for us,’’ he said.

“And the beauty of him is that he keeps his feet, his ground ball stuff is actually a lot better than most people realise. So, he puts on a lot of pressure up forward as well.’’

Devon Meadows, under new coach Neil Craig, looked the better side in the first half and should have led by more after a string of easy misses.

Karingal lifted its work rate in the second half and outscored the home side nine goals to four.

Devon Meadows’ side had seven new players in it and Craig was positive after the game.

“We just ran out of puff,’’ he said.

“We’ll just get better, there’s lots to build on. We were really excited after the game…because we know Karingal are good, they’re top two or three.’’

Former Mt Eliza defender Anthony Cleary, returning from a knee reconstruction, was outstanding for Devon Meadows at centre half-back.

“I reckon there would have been 20 contests and he (only) got beaten in one of them,’’ Craig said.

Devon Meadows 4.1, 6.8, 6.8, 10.12 (72) lt Karingal 2.3, 3.5, 8.13, 12.14 (86).

DEVON MEADOWS

Goal Kickers: M. Theodoridis 2, J. Hillis 2, S. Baumgartner, B. White, L. Moss, A. Edwards, L. Ligt, M. Fletcher

Best Players: A. Cleary, J. Hillis, L. Drew, G. Kerr, C. Armstrong, S. Hallsworth

KARINGAL

Goal Kickers: M. Holt 4, D. Alanis 2, L. VanRaay, C. Leslie, S. Jamieson, R. Davey, M. Burke, J. Triep

Best Players: A. Mathers, M. Burke, S. Jamieson, M. Russell, D. Alanis, D. Gregson