RIVERINA FOOTBALL LEAGUE
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A FAST start proved the key as Leeton-Whitton got its season off to the perfect beginning with a 32-point victory over near neighbour Narrandera on Saturday night.
The young Crows outfit came out with a point to prove and made the most of the drier conditions early, prevailing 14.11 (95) to 9.9 (63) at Narrandera Sportsground.
The visitors started with a seven-goal opening term and another good second quarter saw the Crows go into the main break with a match-winning 53-point lead.
Narrandera came back strongly in the third term but the damage was already done as Leeton-Whitton only needed three second-half goals to cement the victory.
Leeton-Whitton unveiled six debutants in the process and scored the win with Bryce O'Garey and Ben Curley spending two separate 15-minute stints on the sidelines. New Leeton-Whitton coach David Meline could not be happier with his young team's first round effort.
"I was real happy," Meline said.
"The young guys all played really well, especially in the first half."
Ben Curley was best for the Crows, spending the majority of the time through the midfield as well as stints up forward.
Mason Dryburgh was strong in the ruck, while Lachlan O'Callaghan in attack and Sean Browning, were also some of the Crows' best.
Leeton-Whitton entered the game with 10 or 11 players under the age of 19, with five 16-year-old debutants in Jayden Lehman, Mitch Hardie, Lucas Meline, Jacob Young and Jake Scarr.
"That's where I was pretty happy, when it was wet and heavy after half-time and it evened up, they all stood up and no one took a backward step," Meline said.
Narrandera had three players yellow carded, which proved costly.
Nic Hetherington was sent in the second quarter for swearing, while Liam Paterson and Leeton-Whitton's Bryce O'Garey were yellow carded from the same incident.
Adam Davis was yellow carded and reported later for engaging in rough conduct on Leeton-Whitton's Will Overs.
New key defender Andrew Thompson impressed, along with Damon Burden across half-back, while new coach Tim Sullivan also worked tirelessly.