MARRAR says it will take confidence from a trial victory over Collingullie-Glenfield Park on Saturday heading into a potential one league competition this year.
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Football returned for the first time this year at Langtry Oval on Saturday, with a good-sized crowd turning out despite the wet conditions.
It was the Bombers who finished in front at the final siren, stealing back the lead late to score a narrow victory, 7.4 (46) to 6.6 (42).
While some other trial games scheduled for Saturday were cancelled due to a day of COVID-19 carnage on Friday, that resulted in the cancellation of this year's Farrer League competition, both Marrar and Collingullie-GP lapped up the opportunity for a game before the season's fate is decided by the AFL Riverina board on Monday.
Marrar assistant coach Cal Gardner, who took charge of the Bombers for the day, said while it was only a trial game, the result was important for his playing group given they may face a season against Riverina League clubs.
"It is a trial game and there were a lot of players out from both sides but from our point of view we'll certainly take a lot of confidence out of that win," Gardner said.
"If we do get into a season (against Riverina League clubs), it gives us confidence.
"Even if there is no season either, it was still worth having a hit-out today as a bit of reward for all the training we've done."
Gardner revealed the Marrar playing group discussed the potential season ahead after the trial game and how it would look now that the Farrer League had been cancelled.
While it is expected Farrer League clubs would struggle against their Riverina League rivals, Gardner said the Bombers players had no hesitations in accepting the challenge.
"We've had really good numbers at training, which is a positive," he said.
"We just had a chat then after the game, if it does happen, do we want to go ahead and there was a pretty positive response from the playing group."
Marrar, like the Demons, had a number of players missing in the trial.
New recruit Andrew Emery kicked a couple of goals and showed what a big impact he could have, while Jack Reynolds, Toby Lawler, Rhys Mooney and Truman Carroll also impressed.
The Bombers have added Emery, Jesse Margosis, Jordan Harrington and Alex Smith from Lockhart, while fellow Hume League products Tyson Muller (Henty) and Charlie Hamilton (Howlong) also played in the trial.
Ed Perryman and Jimmy Kennedy were two of the Demons' better players.
The only concerning part for Collingullie-GP was a knee injury to Nick Perryman in the last quarter. Jayden Klemke played the second half and got his first taste of football in over 12 months.
Gardner was happy with how the Bombers played.
"I thought we moved the ball pretty well, considering it was wet," he said.
"We certainly played an attacking style of footy and it gives us confidence going into a season if there possibly is one."
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