By Justin Schwarze
As the ball was bounced for the first time in Outer East Premier this season the anticipation and excitement was finally released with Officer hosting Olinda Ferny Creek.
The Bloods look to rebound after losing in last season’s semi-final and rolled into Rob Porter Reserve with confidence.
For Officer, the game was new senior playing coach Nathan Allen’s first time in charge of the Kangaroos outfit.
Olinda Ferny Creek dominated the first term in every aspect but failed to maximise the advantage on the scoreboard, despite being brave in the contest and winning the football repeatedly.
The visitors set the tone by racking up inside 50s, most of which resulted in minor scores or rushed kicks out of defence from Officer.
After three behinds, including a desperate smother on the goal line, skipper Lachie Taylor took matters into his own hands, brilliantly wrestling the ball from a ruck contest before throwing it onto the boot for the first major of the afternoon for the visitors.
Just two minutes later, a laser kick from Patrick Rosier found Luca Smith on the lead, as Smith kicked truly for a 16-0 start.
However, the trend of inaccuracy continued to plague the Bloods, scoring a further three behinds after Smith’s goal.
A horrible turnover from a kick in the backline gave Taylor an easy opportunity that went begging when he missed to the right.
It was then Officer’s turn to rain down minor scores, with a touch on the goal line, a missed set shot, and 2024 club leading goalkicker Mark Seedsman hitting the post providing its first scores.
Young gun Jackson Liddle was superb in the opening frame, lacing out teammates and standing up in the contest.
Just before the quarter time siren, Matt Di Biase was able to find space on the run in the hosts’ forward 50, booting the first goal of the season for the Kangaroos that more importantly stopped the bleeding.
At the first change, Olinda Ferny Creek 2.8 (20) led Officer 1.3 (9).
The Kangaroos jumped on the opening clearance of the second period, creating a nice build-up which resulted in Brent Moloney capitalising with a major.
The visitors responded through Smith’s second via a free kick, before Seedsman retaliated with a strong mark and goal for Officer.
Following that, Taylor continued his imposing start with a solid grab in the pocket before wheeling onto his right boot and snapping it through.
He wasn’t done there, as a miss-kick from the Kangaroos at half back was intercepted by Lachlan Kennedy, who quickly hit a streaking Taylor on the chest for two in two minutes.
The hosts looked to hit back as Taj Beddows ran onto the ball launched inside 50 on a counter attack out of the backline.
Beddows had plenty of space, gathering himself to dribble it through to bring the margin back to 11 points.
With the clock winding down, the ball was sent in towards a pack inside Olinda Ferny Creek’s 50, where Kennedy propped himself, but he was illegally held out of the contest and the umpire blew his whistle for a free kick.
As the siren sounded, Kennedy booted a goal that was a momentum crusher.
As the Bloods flocked to get around him, the scoreboard read Olinda Ferny Creek 6.10 (46) to Officer 4.4 (28).
The visitors came out on fire in the second half, booting the first four goals of the quarter to expand the margin to 43 points.
In that run, Smith managed his third and Kennedy snagged his second.
The streak of five unanswered Bloods goals ended when the Kangaroos got their first of the quarter through a clever midfield linkup.
Seedsman then took a strong mark and kicked his second poster of the day, a kick that resembled how the game was transpiring for Officer.
Smith wasn’t finished in his attack, taking a brilliant grab and booting the ball straight and over the goal umpire’s head late in the period.
In the dying moments of the term, the ball was sent back inside 50 for Olinda Ferny Creek, where Kennedy held onto a heavily contested mark and went back and slotted the goal after the siren yet again.
At the final break, the Bloods 12.12 (84) were well and truly on top of the Kangaroos 5.5 (35).
Kennedy had his fingerprints all over the fourth; kicking a further two majors to finish his outing with five.
Smith’s final frame major meant he joined Kennedy with a five-goal haul of his own for the visitors, guiding them to a result of Olinda Ferny Creek 16.17 (113) to Officer 5.6 (36).
Taylor booted three for the Bloods, meaning Kennedy, Taylor and Smith combined for 13 of the Bloods’ 16 goals.
Over at Healesville, the newly promoted boys from Don Road made their Premier mark by upsetting Upwey Tecoma, 9.7 (61) to 5.7 (37).
The perfect start was inspired by three goals each from Tyler Barclay and Aidan Rouse.
Emerald’s attempt at slowing down 2024 league goalkicking winner Taylor Gibson were unsuccessful, as Gibson ran riot at Woori Yallock Reserve with an incredible bag of 11 goals.
Club best and fairest winner Ewan Wadsworth was at his usual best in defeat for the Bombers, starring in the forward line with four majors.
Gibson booted five of his 11 in the fourth, launching the Tigers into jubilation for the first time in 2025.
The final score had Woori Yallock 23.8 (146) defeat Emerald 8.11 (59).
Monbulk’s inaccuracy kept it from blowing out Gembrook Cockatoo at home in the first hit out of the season.
The Hawks only managed 10.24 (84), but it was enough to get over the Brookers 7.4 (46).
In Sunday’s lone game, Aaron Mullett and Wandin mauled Mount Evelyn, as the Bulldogs kicked 27 goals and charged to a 141-point road thrashing.
Mullett booted nine for the afternoon and outscored the hosts by himself, including three in the third where Wandin managed nine as a team in the period.
Joel Garner also kicked three in the third on his way to a four-goal effort.
When the siren sounded, the Bulldogs 27.13 (175) thrashed the Rovers 4.10 (34).
In round two, Wandin will head home to face Woori Yallock, Emerald hosts Healesville, Gembrook Cockatoo matches up with Mount Evelyn at Gembrook Recreation Reserve, Officer travels to take on Upwey Tecoma and Monbulk visits Olinda Ferny Creek.
