By TOBIE CHAPMAN
REIGNING premier Aberfeldie have held off a strong challenge from Essendon Doutta Stars to record their first win for the season.
In breezy conditions at the Nipper Jordan Oval, Aberfeldie looked to have the game sealed at the final break after a five-goal-to-one third term.
However, a resurgent Stars side kicked the first five goals of the last term to bring the margin back to 11 points.
Just as they seriously began to threaten, though, Aberfeldie showed all the hallmarks of a champion side, managing to steady and halt the charge.
They kicked the final two goals of the game despite heavy pressure from a determined Stars side to bounce back after a disappointing first round loss.
Douttas started the game with a great deal more intensity than their opponents who looked like they were still yet to recover from a possible premiership hangover.
They jumped out of the gate, hounding and harassing Aberfeldie.
A strong breeze was blowing across the ground, slightly favouring Abers in the first term, but it was Cooper Bond who opened the scoring for Douttas.
It was soon followed by a second before the game turned into an arm wrestle through the middle of the ground.
Aberfeldie began to find run in the later stages of the term after Douttas failed to fully capitalise on their dominance. Goals to Alistair Kefford and Luke Blackwell swinging the momentum.
The always dangerous Kyle Reimers showed his footy nous by steering clear of a contest and reading the loose ball to run into an open goal to take the lead.
Abers went into the first break with a 10-point lead.
Douttas started the second term much like the first, their pressure and intensity seemingly too much for Aberfeldie.
They found the opening goal through Patrick Veszpremi, and the wind began to play its part as they kicked the next two goals.
Shylo Smith was instrumental for Douttas, while not always clean by foot, his run and carry continually broke open the game and created opportunity. However, the likes of Josh Cubillo, Brock McLean and Luke Blackwell began to assert themselves on the game for Aberfeldie.
It was through McLean that they found their first goal, evening the contest up.
A goal by Gareth Phillips followed soon after. Late in the term, Abers found another breakthrough to go into the break again leading by 10.
The third term was nothing but domination by Aberfeldie, as they began to flex their muscle for the first time this season.
Alistair Kefford was causing trouble for the Douttas defence, looking likely every time the ball went near him.
This domination saw them pile on five goals in a row, the game all but over with the margin out to 42 points.
Against the run of the play though, a Douttas attack forward resulted in a mark to their captain in Smith, who made no mistake in kicking the goal right before the siren to reduce the margin to six goals.
Mitch Day goaled soon after the opening bounce of the last term, and the Douttas faithful began to find their voice.
Two more quick goals reduced the margin to 20 points, while two more promising opportunities went begging, Kyle Reimers let off after a poor turnover in defensive 50.
Josh Myles goaled to make it an 11-point margin, and it looked as though Douttas were about to run over the top.
Cooler heads prevailed for Aberfeldie, as they began to settle and play a more sensible style to protect their lead.
Despite a few near chances, they held on, kicking the final two goals of the match.
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS | 10.12-72
Goal Kickers: B. Laguda 3, J. Myles, A. Marklew, S. Smith, T. Ellard, N. Sciberras, P. Veszpremi, M. Day
Best Players: S. Smith, M. Jensen, J. Rogers, M. Calvaresi, J. Anderson, S. Clarke
ABERFELDIE | 14.11-95
Goal Kickers: K. Reimers 3, W. Patak 3, A. Kefford 3, B. McLean, G. Phillips, J. Cubillo, A. Grigg, L. Blackwell
Best Players: J. Craven, J. Cubillo, B. McLean, L. Blackwell, A. Kefford, L. Langwell
