Weeroona Bay made it two wins from two starts when they defeated last year’s premiers, Central Whyalla, by eight points at Bennett Oval on Saturday.
The Bays led at every change; two points at quarter time, 14 at the long break and 20 at three-quarter time; but Centrals almost snatched victory in the thrilling final quarter.
However the Bays managed to hang on to record a rare victory over Centrals, who have won eight out of the past nine premierships.
Centrals kicked to the score board end in the first quarter, which was favoured by a light one to two goal breeze and they kicked four goals, all of which were scored by Scott Collison.
But thanks to two goals from Mick Harvey and another from Kian Smythe the Bays took the points to lead narrowly at the first change.
Harvey kicked a further four goals in the second term to equal Collison’s first quarter effort and with others coming from Dale Gerricke and Matt Ellis the Bays were looking good.
Philip Hillman was impressive for Centrals with two goals, with others coming from Mark Turner and Collison.
The Bays went to the long break with a well deserved 14-point advantage, despite losing the services of captain Richard Green in the first quarter.
His place in the ruck was filled admirably by impressive rookie Joel Bristow and the veteran Geoff Jones who played his two-hundredth club game.
Both teams were playing contrasting games.
Centrals’ success over the years has been to maintain possession of the football at all cost.
They are not afraid to play the ball backwards and sideways and even around in circles in a very patient way until an opening presents itself and then they pounce.
It has served them well.
They have lost many players from last year but were most impressive in this game and will again be around come finals time.
They were a little unlucky to have lost this game.
Weeroona Bay are very fast, they take chances, are exciting to watch and have the best young talent in the city.
At times they blitzed Centrals, but seemed to tire in the last quarter and were outscored by 4.2 to 2.2, despite kicking with the light breeze.
The game was dominated by two key forwards, Scott Collison has given Centrals excellent service over the years and his seven goals almost won the game for his team.
He saw off three opponents before Chris Mills came to the rescue and shut him down.
Mick Harvey went one better by slotting through eight for the Bays in his best game in senior football.
He was equal runner-up in last year’s Lyn Norman Medal for best in the under 17s and has kicked a multitude of goals in junior football.
Maybe he will move on to greener pastures soon.
Centrals were outscored by 3.4 to 2.4 in the third term to trail by 20 points at the last change but they refused to lie down in the last term and only just failed to bridge the gap.
The Bays saved precious time by passing the ball around the last term to finally run out narrow winners.
Mick Harvey was best for the Bays and also best on ground.
Goals win matches and his bag of eight got his team over the line.
Geoff Appleton and Anthony Malcolm also played very well with Steven Kinnear, Chris Mills and Matt Ellis others to shine in an excellent win.
Peter Carter was Centrals best player in a good four quarter effort.
Scott Collison, with his bag of seven goals, Richie Burton, Matt Mathe, Michael Schwenke and Philip Hillman were other good players.
The road ahead will see Central play South at Bennett Oval next Saturday, while Weeroona Bay will take on West Whyalla at Memorial Oval on the same day, with both teams unbeaten so far this season.
The match between North Whyalla and Roopena will now be played at Memorial Oval on ANZAC Day in a change of venues.
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