Eagles overcome plucky Cats to kick start season

By Alexander Dabb

Apr 6, 2025

Mansfield's Billy Hogan was among the goals, slotting two majors in the Eagles’ win over the Cats. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Mansfield has begun its pursuit of finals football in 2025 on the right foot, defeating a plucky Mooroopna by 38 points to record a round one win in the high country.

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The final scoreline of 11.11 (77) to 5.9 (39) doesn’t tell the full story, however, with the Eagles having to overturn an 18-point quarter-time deficit in order to earn the Goulburn Valley League win.

While Mansfield was on the board first through co-coach Jack Hutchins, Mooroopna, which endured a torrid off-season when it lost a wealth of list depth to other clubs, piled on four unanswered goals to end the term and fly out to a 26 to 8 lead at the first break.

But just as quickly as the Cats had taken control of the contest, the Eagles wrested it back, with a pair of goals each to Sam Thomson and Hutchins, as well as the opening goal of the quarter to recruit Nick Gray, having Mansfield claim a 15-point lead at half-time, outscoring the visitors 5.4 to 0.1 for the quarter.

An arm wrestle after the main break saw both sides slot just the one major each, as the 15-point margin from half-time crept down to 14 with a quarter to play, setting up a blockbuster final term.

But with the stage set, Mooroopna fumbled its lines, with the Eagles, as they had in the second quarter, keeping the Cats goalless, while simultaneously slamming home four goals of their own as they soared to a solid round one victory.

Dirk Koenen was named Mansfield’s best in the victory, joined by Thomson (two goals) and Gus van der Heyden.

Gray (one goal), who joined the Eagles over summer from Blackburn in the Eastern Football League, was also among the most influential alongside fellow recruit Matthew King, who made his way to Mansfield via the Northern Bullants.

Hutchins led the way in terms of goals kicked with a game high four majors, while Billy Hogan joined Thomson with two and Gray, Ben Les and 2024 best-and-fairest Brett Mahoney each booted one.

Mooroopna on the other hand will be disappointed with one goal kicked after a promising first quarter, however, with an emphasis on youth in 2025, John Lamont’s side will continue to gain experience as the season unfolds.

The Cats will look to bounce back with a round two clash against Rochester at home, while the Eagles are aiming to make it two from two as they travel to Deakin Reserve for a date with Shepparton United.