Great Flinders football kicked off for season 2022 on Saturday with the much anticipated game between Elliston Districts and United Yeelanna living up to expectations.
United Yeelanna travelled to Elliston to take on the Roosters in warm conditions, but with little to no wind, perfect conditions in a game that promised plenty and delivered. The game started in hot fashion with both sides hitting in hard and it took until the 10 minute mark when Brody Kenny opened proceedings with a goal to the home side which was followed by another within minutes to have the Roosters up and about. Their defence was outstanding repelling many attacks, and if not for inaccurate kicking for goal they could have been well in front at quarter time kicking 2.5 but more importantly keeping the Eagles scoreless.
Like good sides do, Yeelanna responded strongly in the second quarter as Crettenden and Proctor kicked early majors for the visitors with Conlan giving his onballers first look as his side took control.
Further majors to Steve Crettenden, Martin and Glover gave the Eagles some real momentum with Watson lifting in the midfield and finding plenty of it. Elliston were able to stem the tide with goals through Matt Williams and Sam Keane, but the quarter belonged to United Yeelanna kicking 6 goals to take an 8 point lead in to half time.
The third quarter was a dour struggle as both defence’s worked overtime and desperately to restrict scoring with the game being played at a frantic pace and both sides tackling strongly and hitting in hard. Francis and Michael Crettenden kicked goals for the Eagles to keep their noses in front, but the Roosters were right in the contest as Williams kicked another to keep the game well and truly alive.
The Eagles had definitely steadied since quarter time but were just 6 points in front at 3 quarter time and the Roosters squandering some shots on goal could have seen them in front.
Zane Montgomerie and Rhys Kelsh were up and about early in the last to give the home side some momentum, with Kelsh beginning to assert his authority in the ruck, but the Eagles through Watson, Crettenden and Martin continued to work tirelessly to keep their side in front. Rosalia, Hutchinson and Wadsworth all kicked majors for the home side as the lead changed hands several times, but in the end it was the experience of United Yeelanna that prevailed to win by 8 points in an excellent game of footy played in front of a bumper crowd.
Watson made an outstanding return to the blue and gold, Murnane was solid, while Conlan made an impressive debut and Agars and Michael Crettenden also had plenty of it.
For the Roosters Zane Montgomerie was outstanding, McEvoy, Keane, Hutchinson, Kelsh and Williams were all impressive in what was a promising start to their season with plenty of upside in them as they gel together further as the season progresses. Both sides were missing some key players and spectators will look forward to the next time these 2 sides play in what is certain to be one of the games of the year.
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