The first round of the season is underway and whilst our senior team suffered a shock loss there were some encouraging results from some of our other sides.

Our Under19s, Reserves and Seniors travelled to Charles Mutton Reserve to take on the Northern Saints and our 19’s got the season off to the best possible start with a great, hard fought win

Playing their first game under new coach Joshua Ganino, the boys were jumped early and trailed by 16 points at the first break but it was 6 scoring shots to 5 so only poor conversion was hurting us. The Saints extended that lead at half time to 31 points at half time but again it was poor conversion in front of goal costing us as it was 12 scoring shots to 11 – 9.3 to 3.8. After half time we steadied and stopped the scoring from the saints, limiting them to one point for the quarter while we kicked 2.3, still trailing by 17 points. The last quarter saw our boys really hit their straps as we piled on 8.1 to 1.2 to run out winners by 24 points. It was a great comeback from the boys with Daniel Cassar and Tylar Sorrentino kicking 4 each and the best being Travis Cooke, Sorra, Brock Mclarty, Cassar, Jack Omogrosso and Joshua Tassis.

The Back to Back Reserves Premiers were next out and looking to make a statement – warning the competition they have eyes on the 3Peat! We got the perfect start with 6 goals to one in the first term. That fast start allowed the boys to control the game despite the ugly injury to 2017 Premiership B.O.G. Aaron Szwedyc who looks to have badly injured his ankle. A 3 goal to 2 second term saw us hold a 43 point half time lead. The defence was clearly on top and held the Saints to 2 goals in the second half while we added 6 more goals to run out winners by 73 points. A perfect start to the season. Matt Mickelson and Marz Abbs kicked 3 each while JayJ kicked 2. New Boy Nader was named best with Daniel, Kajan, Anthony (Captain Courageous) Tyla and Bollywood star Jovan. The only downers on the day were Azza’s injury and poor conversion again in front of goal, kicking 15.20 for the game. The positive is that we had 11 members of the Premiership side missing (Belal, Youssef, Chadie, Moudy, Andy, Adam to name a few) and still sit on top of the ladder! Just let them work on goal kicking this week Phil

Seniors were next up and unfortunately things did not go according to the script, beaten badly in a disappointing performance from the boys. Once again, as we saw in the Under 19’s and Reserves, poor conversion in front of goal game back to bite us on the bum. and while the final margin was 65 points, it might have been different if we’d kicked straight early. At 1/4 time we were down by 26 points but it was 8 scoring shots to 7 – Saints leading 7.1 to 2.5. By half time the margin had blown out to 54 points but they only had 4 more scoring shots – 14.3 to 3.9. We dominated the play in the 3rd term but again wasted chances by kicking 4.7 to 3.3. That all took it’s toll in the final term as they piled on 7.4 to our 4.1 to run out winners by 65 points. Brandon, Tumay Sammy and Mark kicked 2 each with Saba, Ryan, Harley, Stone and the 2 Faz brothers were in the best . We need to get to training and listen to what coach Micheal Farrelly is trying to put in place boys and the results will come.

Sunday saw our juniors start their season and the Under 9’s kicked off the day at home at the still being developed Lakeside Reserve. With help from Scott and Nathan the Under 9’s had a great time and will keep improving as the season progresses.

The Under 11’s were next up against Hillside Sharks Football Club and had a lot of youngsters stepping up from the Under 9’s side from last season. Mada had the team firing during pre season and wanted to see how it panned out on game day. Unfortunately we came up against a fired up Hillside who had our measure twice last season and continued that today. Mayen scored our only goal in a game we lost by 22 points but the effort could not be faulted and the boys gave everything. With only 5 boys staying down from last year this new look side will come together well in time.

The Under 13’s followed in their game against Moonee Valley FC and Daniel was looking for a big effort from the team. They gave it everything they had but came up against a very slick team who used the ball very well and were on top in the middle. Fresh off his first ever Under 11s game Jesse played well when thrown into the ruck. Luke was his usual impressive self and Zein asserted himself around the ground well

The Under 15’s were being coached for the first time by former club President Jay Bee against our nearest rival Craigieburn Football Club and what a performance it was! A 9 goal to nothing first term saw us take control and maintain that throughout to win by 184 points. Ramzey was immense kicking 7 while Mo kicked 3.

Our Under 18 Youth Girls followed in the final game of the day at Lakeside under their new coach Richard up against Sunbury Lions Football Netball Club and while the girls gave it everything they unfortunately came up short on this occasion. Ash got our only goal of the game in the last term while Bianca, Shelby, Ash, Cookey, Sarah and Macca were in the best

Our Under 17’s were away to Strathmore Football Club under last years U11’s Coach Tim. With a host of boys moving up from under 15’s we didn’t know what we were going to get from this young side but they put in a great effort. They gave it everything but unfortunately came up 14 points short. All individual goal kickers on the day and the best were Mustafa, Beany Jnr, Moey, Hamdou, Dogga Jnr and James

Our Women’s side completed the weekend’s games with their game away to new side Westmeadows Football Club. With a massive list of ladies to choose from it made a welcome change to struggling for numbers as we did last season, which is a great sign of the growth of the ladies teams at Lakeside and a great sign for new coach Jamie. On the day Westies were too strong and won by 75 points. Our ladies put everything into it and Sarah got the goal we deserved in the last term.

This weekend’s wrap is bought to you by long time club sponsor Mowers and More. Erwin and his team have a massive showroom full of mowers and garden care gear at their shop in Campbellfield at 5/23 Cooper St. They are also the best place to go if you need your mower or whipper snipper serviced. Give them a call on (03) 9303 9000 or visit them online at https://discountmowers.com.au