Last year’s Hume FL grand finalist Henty has notched up its first win for the 2016 season after finishing too strong for Lockhart at Henty.
After a relatively even first half, the Swampies clicked into gear nicely in the third and final quarters with recruit Matt Etchells bagging five goals.
It was Billabong High school student Andrew Yates who stole the show with a best on ground performance that included two valuable goals.
Heath Ohlin, Sam Terlich (three goals), Tyson Muller and Paddy Murray were others to shine for Henty as they booted nine second-half goals.
Nick Hynes had his best performance for Lockhart since joining them last year, kicking five goals. Jess Margosis and Mitch Sykes were other solid contributors.
Holbrook also recorded its first win of the season, when they beat traditional rivals Culcairn by just three points at Holbrook.
In a thrilling finish Culcairn stormed home with the final three goals as the young Brookers hung on in a frenetic finish.
The Brookers, under new non-playing coach Adrian Whitehead, led from start to finish and would have been unlucky to have lost.
Josh Jones and Luke Carman were in great touch in the midfield, while Josh Marmo (5) and John Spencer (3) led the way up forward for Holbrook.
Culcairn star recruit Jye Shields was superb along with coach Brendan Way, but star forward Trent Perczyk was kept to just three goals by Jack Muldoon.
Holbrook has now beaten Culcairn in the last eight encounters. The Lions last won in June 2011 when they won by a point.
Newly merged club Rand Walbundrie Walla came back to earth with a 40-point loss to a much improved Howlong at Howlong.
The Spiders after a disappointing loss in round one bounced back beautifully with its Tiwi Island recruits Dion Munkara and Clem Kerinaiua.
Both lit up the Howlong Sportsground with some thrilling ball skills and speed that netted both players four goals.
Pete Hancock was at his Azzi Medal best form, dominating the ruck, while Coach Joel Price chipped in with three goals.
Joe Morris with five goals and Nick Turner with four shone brightly for the RWW Giants. Lavington recruit Tom Plunkett was outstanding in the midfield.
Brock Burrum Saints further staked its claims for back-to-back premierships with an impressive 36-point win over Osborne at Brocklesby. The undermanned Saints unfurled its 2015 premiership flag before a huge throng of supporters that witnessed a dominant first half by the home team.
The game was all but over at the main break with the Saints led by Nick Brockley and Liam Johnston setting up a 38-point lead.
Osborne, led by Matt Clarke, Marty Bahr and Stephen Doig fought back hard to bridge the gap at the last change, but was not enough to upset the Saints.
Jindera despite not kicking a goal in the final term still did enough to defeat CDHBU at Jindera in a replay of last year’s thrilling semi-final.
The Bulldogs after trailing at quarter-time had dominated the second and third quarters to set up a buffer for its slow finish.
The Bulldogs relished the return of star on ballers Kris Holman and Zac Stuart and with Coach Josh Walker kicking six goals they were too strong.
Zac Gratton was best for Jindera, while Mick Blomley and Tom Weldon stood tall in defence as they lay claims to the league’s best defensive unit.
Teenager Matt Walker was impressive kicking four goals for the Power. Jeremy Stevenson and Mick Collins were other good players.
Murray Magpies bounced back from a tough week off field to celebrate its first use of the new change rooms/clubrooms at Urana Road with a win.
They managed to outpoint the inform Billabong Crows by 42 points in a high scoring encounter. The Magpies set up the win with the first five goals of the match.
Former Port Adelaide star Derek Murray kicked five goals, while last year’s century sharpshooter Ash Murray also netted five.
Former Holbrook player and Wodonga best and fairest Brad Thompson was best on ground for Magpies.
