After a productive off season recruiting, Bruthen made a massive statement in Omeo and District Football Netball League round one, keeping Lindenow South scoreless, inflicting an extraordinary 263 point defeat at the Bruthen Recreation Reserve.
Under the guidance of new coach, former Geelong Football League legend, Michael Boothey the Bulldogs have added Jamie Barton, Nathan Hayes and Mark Cooper (all Swifts Creek), Jamie and Richard Harrison (both Lindenow) and Daniel Hayes (Cowwarr), all impressing in their first hit out for the season.
In contrast, the Swampies are light for stars with Nathan Pollard, Will O’Keefe, Griffin Sherritt, Daniel Howe and Rob White all plying their trade at Stratford this year.
The Bulldogs made an immediate impact on the scoreboard, perennial league best and fairest winner, Harley Kenner (six goals), kicking the first major within 90 seconds, spectators not realising at the time that he’d just slotted the sealer.
The freakishly talented, Daniel Hayes was quickly on the scoreboard slotting the first of his 10, many from beyond 50 metres with his long rangy left bombs, that have impressed fans now for a couple of decades.
Last seasons leading goal kicker, Jirra
Moffatt was slow to start but eventually found his mojo and range, finishing the afternoon with 11.
Barton, Jan Cabaybay and Ray Giddings were all lively finishing with three each, the Bulldogs first quarter 10 goal effort dwarfed by their sensational last term 13 major effort.
Will Matthews, Richard Harrison and Nathan Hayes were unappeasable across half back as the Swampies never looked like registering a score.
Daniel Cotterill returned after a few years absence having an instant impact in the ruck, feeding the likes of Cabaybay and Kenner will monotonous regularly.
There were no shortages of stars for the Bulldogs, with Daniel Hayes, Cabaybay, Kenner, Barton and Moffatt leading the way.
Jamie Donnelly was outstanding for the Swampies, getting support from Aaron Edwards, Shane Thorpe, Jimma Harrington, Nick O’Keefe and Alfie Solomon but they were a mismatch against the class at the disposal of Boothey.
With the Easter weekend being a football free weekend in East Gippsland, action will recommence next Saturday, with Bruthen making the trek up the mountain to play Swifts Creek.
Lindenow South will be looking for a better performance at home, when they tackle an emerging Swan Reach.
