Katandra left no trace in what was initially billed as a tight-fisted affair between two clubs with equal aspirations of dethroning Waaia atop the Picola District Football League tree.
Not that it all came easy from the get-go or anything like that, mind you; Tungamah came to Katandra Recreation Reserve ready to play in the early going.
Less than a goal separated the two teams after the first half-hour of play, and even when the Kats got on top of things around the ball with a four goal to one second term, one would never have confidently forecast what was to come over the following two periods.
In the absence of any kind of ‘scoring end’ or game-altering breeze under otherwise simmering sun, it rapidly turned into one way traffic as the game set to establish a pecking order among the Picola’s contenders in the early going started to do so in the best possible way for the hosts.
Jason Whittaker’s side put the foot firmly to the throat with five unanswered majors coming out of the half, but what sat as a stunning 59-point advantage at the final change could have been plenty more if not for some wayward finishing around goal.
More of the same take-no-prisoners approach created the perfect storm for a coasting home side, who earned a 2-0 record at a total stroll courtesy of a truly striking 18.17 (125) to 5.4 (34) win.
The 91-point blitz was set up by pure cohesion and a willingness to go the extra mile and run things out under the sun, according to coach Jason Whittaker.
“It was a good day at the office. Certainly, in trying conditions, the heat wasn’t just on in the game sense,” Whittaker said.
“It was good to walk away with a strong win and four points on the board.
“We had to make sure we provided a really solid contest from the word go, and it was hotly contested for the first half, but the message at half time was just that we can’t drop off.
“We worked hard on a whole team defence, so the more we could get behind it and deny opportunity, the more we could get scores on the board so it was good to see us work so hard against quality opposition.
“We knew they wouldn’t go away, and that it wouldn’t suddenly drop 10 or 15 degrees out there.”
Such a resounding result would naturally have observers thinking Katandra has just placed itself as the early number one contender to try and undo the Bombers’ dominance once more.
Despite the commanding early position heading into the league’s Easter bye, though, Whittaker is unconcerned with September dreaming.
“It would be nice to think we are (next in line), but we’re not focusing on where we’ll look to finish or what others think of us,” Whittaker said.
“We’re concerned about what we can control, and that’s preparation for and recovery from match days.
“We tried to learn as many lessons as we could from last year, good and bad. A complete buy-in from the playing group and an enormous amount of hard work have shown with a couple of good wins before the break.
“Hopefully the results will speak for themselves, as it’s a long year.”
Six unbeaten sides remain after the first fortnight, but nobody has made a bigger scoreboard impact than Berrigan following its utterly destructive 25.28 (178) to 1.1 (7) rout of Mathoura where Keith Tallent rammed home 13 goals.
Deniliquin Rovers advanced to 2-0 as well after accounting for Blighty 13.13 (91) to 8.5 (53), while Picola United’s 23.15 (153) to 5.4 (34) crushing of Rennie moved the Blues to third.
Katamatite did it easy to stay perfect with a 76-point win over Tocumwal, while reigning premiers Waaia had to tough out a 21-point triumph over a plucky Katunga side.
Elsewhere, Strathmerton fought tooth and nail for its first win of the season after having to hold off Dookie United for a tight 12.8 (80) to 10.13 (73).
Over on the netball courts, the Rovers have proved as fearsome as ever in keeping their premiership defence unbeaten following an enormous 79-10 result over Blighty.
They sit as one of six undefeated teams after Katunga overpowered Waaia 52-30, Katandra was far too good for Tungamah in a 59-19 win and Rennie overcame Picola United 38-31 while Jerilderie had the bye.
Dookie United’s A-graders opened their account in the Picola after knocking off 2024 runner-up Strathmerton 46-36, while Tocumwal went one for one after unseating Katamatite 49-44 in the Bloods’ first game of 2025.
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