With their coach and assistant coach sidelined, it was the Bulldogs’ next generation that stepped up and upstaged the Hoppers 12.9 (81) to 12.5 (77) in the season opener.

The Bulldogs led for the majority of the contest and took a 16-point lead into the final term. Both teams were tired in the hot conditions and the Hoppers closed within a goal with a couple of minutes to play but Turvey Park held them out for a morale-boosting win.

Clint Shields was the star early with six goals to half-time, while young players Brad Ashcroft, Jayden Carroll, Cooper Diessel and Alex Burgmann impressed.

Suspended Turvey Park coach Truman Carroll was incredibly proud of his group.

“That’s a massive start. With all the things that have happened the last couple of weeks with injuries, suspensions and stuff like that and they’re up there in premiership contention with their recruiting they did,” Carroll said.

“Full credit to the boys, they played their roles. The tackling and their running and pressure was excellent. We had an even spread of contributors and really played as a team.”

Carroll believes the win will do wonders for the group’s confidence.

“It’s huge. We were probably written off early, with injuries, players leaving and suspension so we came into the game with our backs against the wall straight up so to win is a huge confidence boost,” he said.

“It’s only round one, there’s a lot of things we can improve on but they will take it in their stride as a big confidence boost.”

The only dampener in the win was a dislocated shoulder to Jayden Carroll late in the game.

Coolamon also lost Luke Redfern to an ankle injury.

Shields was the star, but Josh Ashcroft was also very good, spending time in the unfamiliar position of the ruck.

Ryan Allen and Jamie Maddox were good on a disappointing day for Coolamon.