However the Bombers proved too strong, with a massive final term seeing them run out 33-point victors.
Waaia coach Mark Meyland said he was “wrapped” with the way his side responded to the Bulldogs’ third quarter pressure.
“Obviously we know the calibre of the blokes that they’ve got out there so we knew it was always going to come it was just a matter of withstanding when they did put up the fight and I think we’ve done it extremely well,” Meyland said.
“We knew that they were obviously going to come so we just had to go back to our structures.
“We didn’t want to get lost, we knew if we had the footy in our hands then they can’t have it so we can control the game from there, it was just a matter of following back and getting the ball in our hands and our possession and using it wisely.”
Waaia had a good day across the park, with Charlie Burrows, Samuel Richardson and Brayden Summerville among the side’s best.
Eyes up: Strathmerton’s Zeke Bunge and Waaia’s Ash Holland battle in the ruck.
Photo by
Daniel Webb
“It’s just the perfect start, you can only beat who you’re up against so we’ve done that, that’s a big tick for us now,” he said.
Disappointing loss: Strathmerton co-coach Tim Looby was held to one goal on the day.
Photo by
Daniel Webb
Strathmerton co-coach Tim Looby was disappointed his side failed to get over the line.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s round one or round 15, we want to play the Strathy way,” Looby said.
“Waaia took it up to us after a good start from us, we were probably left wanting a little bit, skill errors, got beaten on the spread which is unlike us, so that’s a work rate thing, we’ve got to sharpen up there.
“They just got in some dangerous spots and we couldn’t defend them.
Under pressure: Waaia’s Austin Tricarico in the middle of a crunching tackle.
Photo by
Daniel Webb
“Full credit to Waaia but we’re realistic, we know its round one and we’ll bounce back.
“We were beaten by a better side today and you’ve just got to tip your hat to Waaia and we’ll move on and get better.”
Top game: Tyson Sidebottom was one of Strathmerton’s best.
Photo by
Daniel Webb
While it was a disappointing result for Strathmerton, there were plenty of positive signs, with Tyson Sidebottom putting in a strong display, while new boys Jake Ellery and Jessie Finnen impressed.
Around the grounds, Tocumwal and Katamatite had the week off.
Over in the netball results, Strathmerton suffered a narrow loss to Waaia.
The Bulldogs went down 45-38 in a cracking round one contest.
Kasey Baker was best-on for the Bulldogs in her maiden A-grade appearance.
Lastly, Katamatite and Tocumwal had the weekend off.
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