It’s true — at least in the case of Katamatite getting up and roaring in Picola District Football Netball League, that is.
The competition swung into gear on Saturday with a full slate of games in round one and last season’s minor premier started with a hiss and a roar by beating Tungamah by seven goals.
With former AFL star Tom Clurey returning for his Katamatite homecoming, the Tigers stumped up a well-rounded 13.11 (89) to 6.7 (43) performance to see off a talented Bears side that included reigning Pearce medallist Sam Ferguson.
Katamatite took an early lead at Tungamah Recreation Reserve and had a 30-point advantage by the main break, building it out to 40 by three-quarter time.
Both sides were reasonably matched in the final term, but it was James Hazelman’s troops who headed back home with the first set of points cashed in for 2025.
James Beilby starred for the victors as did ex-Port Adelaide man Clurey, while Mitch Ward and Mitch Coleman slotted four majors apiece for the Tigers.
For Tungamah, Ferguson put in an admirable shift, while Ned McKeown proved lethal with three goals.
However, while Katamatite sent a shot across the bows with that win, Katandra made sure to give league newcomer Dookie United a not-so-warm welcome to the PDFL.
The Kats, who fell short in the 2024 grand final, dished out a 17.11 (113) to 9.7 (61) defeat to the former Kyabram District League inhabitants as star recruit Bailey Bell found his feet in new colours.
Former Nathalia gun Bell snared two majors to go along with three each for Corey Hickford and Thomas Jeffery, cancelling out the five registered by Dookie’s Connor Michel.
Last season’s premier Waaia stamped its authority with a commanding eight-goal triumph over fellow powerhouse Strathmerton, with another Murray league recruit impressing for the Bombers.
Callum Leighton-Daly, arriving from Barooga in the off-season, booted three goals and was named among the best as Waaia saw off the Bulldogs 12.15 (87) to 4.9 (33).
In other games, Picola United prevailed by 27 points over Katunga, while Jerilderie, Berrigan and Deniliquin Rovers secured wins over Blighty, Rennie and Mathoura respectively.
On the netball front, Strathmerton got off to a flying start in a hotly-contested season opener against Waaia.
Under the new stewardship of Loreena Keane, the Bulldogs staved off Waaia’s waves of attack to claim a 48-41 win away from home.
Dookie United gave a great account of itself in game one under the PDFNL banner, but it was ultimately in vain as the Thunder were bested 50-46 by a strong Katandra unit.
Similar to its football department, Katamatite’s netballers were fast out of the blocks as the Tigers trumped Tungamah by 16 goals, while Katunga avenged last year’s grand final defeat as the Swans returned a 49-15 victory over Picola United.
Elsewhere, Rennie beat Berrigan by 25 goals and Jerilderie secured a 41-goal winning margin against Blighty, while the Deniliquin Rovers-Mathoura result was not available at the time of print.
