Great Flinders football
PERFECT weather greeted all sports participants for the opening round at Ungarra.
The Saints were a little undermanned with eight missing due to wedding commitments but boosted by new recruits Martin Bailie, Richard French, Luke Thorpe, Darrell Stratford, Mathew Schramm, Isaac Telfer, senior colt Max Baldissera playing his first A grade game, and veteran Saint Kieran Ballie, also making his A grade debut.
Cougars' almost complete line up was stronger with new recruits Sam Ness, Luke Cunningham, Anthony Clarke and A grade debut player Brandon Siegert.
Both teams opened the season with great vigour and endeavour scoring goals at both ends, helping to settle pre-game nerves.
Seth Myers ran onto a loose ball and an open goal to give Cougars a two-goal break into a slight north easterly breeze.
Saints replied after Drew Liddicoat's pass to Ben Pugsley was roved off the contest by Mathew Schramm to set up Martin Baillie's second goal.
Damien Paech kicked with great accuracy straight into the wind.
The Saints' answer came from a hard running Jordan Telfer, whose kick advantaged Bailie in the square.
Cougars had maintained their 11-point advantage from early in the quarter in an open and fast moving game.
Luke Moroney's spectacular leaping mark and helicopter punt assisted by the wind extended the lead.
The Saints worked the ball forward for Sam Telfer to finish an opportunist's goal.
Pressure from Cougars was keeping the ball in their half but Darrell Stratford and Nick Telfer were playing a big part in neutralising their attacks, assisted by inaccurate kicking.
Corey Turnbull's persistent work rate was inevitably rewarded with consecutive goals.
Martin Bailie, at full forward, played a lone hand keeping the Saints in touch making the most of limited opportunities.
An off the ball incident gave the Saints' Jordan Telfer the advantage of 50 metres and a goal.
Cougars undisciplined talk to the umpires and resulting 50-metre penalty gave an easy goal for Bailie, the only thing keeping the Saints with in touch.
A typical bullet like pass from Corey Turnbull to Craig Meaney closed the first half with Cougars leading 9-11 to 7-1.
During the long break the breeze turned to again favour Cougars and the Sam Ness goal kicking show as he racked up three goals without a Saints reply. The fitness and youth of Cougars combined with skilful use of hand ball was not manageable for the depleted Saints.
Jordan Telfer and Drew Liddicoat combined to pass to Bailie to move the Saints score, who kicked another skilful goal from the dead pocket, assisted by a solid shepherd from Sam Telfer.
Sam Ness then accepted a poorly directed kick from defence for goal number four and added his fifth after marking from a centre break.
Luke Moroney stood out as one of Cougars' young runners and passed to Craig Meaney to goal from 45 metres. Sam Myers and Brad Ridgeway added goals to the runaway nine goal quarter.
The pain continued for the weary Saints as injury left them one man down and no fit interchange player as Luke Moroney and Sam Ness were kicking or involved in setting up every Cougars goal in a dominant final quarter and they went on to win 23-21 to 9-1.
Cougars coach Julian Doudle said after the match that he was happy with the win "but there's a long season ahead".
"Key successes today were the handball and talking but a tougher opposition will bring greater pressures."
Saints coach Paul Mitchell said the first half showed some promise with players showing good endeavour, but his side was beaten by a more polished outfit and injury, finishing with only 17 fit.
Saints players unavailable included Justin Modra, Ryan Modra, Seb Drewer, Neville Stratford, Craig Franks, Boyd Coleman, Tim Roediger, Kris Speed, Clinton Chalton and Tom Baldissera.
Cougars players who were unavailable included Tyrone Craig and Isaac Barns.
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