Ah, the smell of liniment is thick in the air and blokes are pulling up with corkies to match their hangovers, so footy season is well and truly back. So where are we at after round 1? Well, all footy teams in the top three and a combined % of 1300 – let’s get the finals underway now! Okay, maybe that’s getting a bit carried away, but last week was definitely a positive start to season ’08. For our footballers, the real challenges lie in the next three weeks and we wish them all the best on our home turf today.

The colts got off to a flying start, kicking 7 goals in the opening term and then never looking back. It was good to see a mix of the experienced colts like Toby O’Grady (Wiseman’s Plumbing) leading the way for some up and coming players out of the Under 15s  such as Kane Davies (KFC). It seems coach Mick has a good mix of talent that will push plenty of teams this year and perhaps it was the inspiration of the coach that drove young Sam Griffiths (Mallee Milk) to kick 7 goals!? We’ll see. Other awards went to Andrew Patterson (Heil Builders), Jake Haeusler (Red Rooster), Josh Cameron (Keighran’s Milk Bar) and Ricky McDiarmid.

Speaking of new coaches, Gaddo must have made just enough phone calls to get a side on the park in the reserves, but there was definitely some quality in the team. Heath Dunstan (Club Voucher) showed that he will be pushing for senior selection by finding plenty of the ball, while Ricky Jochinke (Tripodi & Taverna) is apparently still returning from the stratosphere (although without the ball). Karl Robertson (Boga Hotel Meal) showed he is ready to replace the hamstrung Wes Pye (at Murph’s request), and was well supported by Shaun Demario (Federal Hotel), Nathan Keighran (retirement is overrated), Terry Dewhurst and some other bloke who kicked a few goals but whose name I can’t recall (Swan Hill Club)……..

In the main game, the seniors showed what they could do and (just maybe) got some revenge on the Dees for last year’s result. Matt Fleming (Swan Hill City Taxi) led the way with a strong performance down back, ably assisted by Ross Turner (Boga Hotel Meal). Up forward Cliff Ryan (Quo Vadis) and Rik Pumpa (Caltex Star Card) were combining like Lloyd and Lucas, although Clifford was still kicking like Richo. Jayden Lonergan (Swan Hill Club), Trent Collins (R & K Dunstone Fuel), Matt Harrop showed the benefits of a solid pre-season, while Joel Heil showed that a solid O-Week can be just as good. Perhaps most pleasing was the sight of many new faces in the black and white with Brent Forsyth standing out amongst the new recruits and we look forward to seeing them all make their mark over the next few weeks.

Off the field, the Auskick clinics kick off tomorrow morning. If you have any interested youngsters, be here at Boga by 11.00am (Lisa, feel free to bring Cliff out for some practice in front of goal). Also, plans are underway for running a bus to Balranald and back next week, so stay tuned after the game tonight for more details.

Netball

We headed off to Nyah on the weekend and came away with a mixed bag! The juniors tried hard and put in a great effort all round. This year we have been inundated with girls wanting to take the court for the black and white, and for some of them it’s their first time. Make sure you get there to support the girls and encourage them in true magpie style.

The senior teams are off to a great start, with the exception of C Grade! Maybe they needed some 70’s tunes to get them going! Well done to A and B as both teams are very different to last year. It’s great to see lots of new faces and the return of some old ones combining well.

13 and Under  -  Lake Boga 9 Nyah NWU 20- Glass award: Tenae Davies, Red Rooster award: Abby Weegink, Ladies Committee: Kaelah Siebert, Subway award: Tyler Slattery.

15 and Under  - Lake Boga 15 Nyah NWU39- Glass award: Erin Scown, Top Knot Hair award: Courtney McAllister, Red Rooster award: Sharelle Grant, Subway award: Reanne Brasser.

17 and Under  - Lake Boga 25 Nyah NWU 35- Glass award: Sally Lambert, Top Knot Hair award: Kelly Griffin, Red Rooster award: Nicola Pye, Video Ezy award: Teagan Pentland.

C Grade - Lake Boga 23 Nyah NWU 40- Glass award: Karen Rovere, WFI Mystery award: Jenna Taverna, Top Knot Hair award: Dani Daly.

B Grade - Lake Boga 41 Nyah NWU 21- Glass award: Kirrily Schlitz, Evoke Hair award: Renee McCaig.

A Grade - Lake Boga 39 Nyah NWU 33- Glass award: Felicity Till, LBFNC Sports Bar award: Ange Marra.

Good luck today girls as we take on TooleyTang. They are fierce competition in all grades, and I highly recommend that you get to the netball courts today to see some great battles!

Don’t forget that Net-Set-Go starts today at 10:30am. It will be held every home game and you can contact Vicki Taylor for more information. Go Boga!