AFL - Hay Lions roar in 2024

Hay Lions’ Jayden Kinces in the first hit out for the club for season 2024. Images: The Riverine Grazier / Margie McClelland.

By Lindy Stweart.

Season 24 commenced with the unveiling of the seniors 2023 Premiership flag in front of a large home crowd boosted by a past players reunion and the hint of high expectation after breaking the 28-year drought.

While the Lions lost seven of their premiership team, local numbers were boosted through the signing of a couple of gun midfielders and the return of several key positional players.

With Murrabit tipped to be the big improvers in 2024 and the Lions now the hunted, it was a highly anticipated opening clash, which could set the tone of the season for both teams.

Reflective of their strong pre-season, the Lions were on from the first ruck clearance.

The new look on ball combination of Collis, Cattanach and Jacob Watson were simply electric; explosive out of each contest.

They found multiple ways to thread the ball through seemingly non-existent gaps, repeatedly hitting up outside running players with perfectly timed offloads.

Murrabit, unable to keep up with the Lions offensive speed and accuracy, were forced to stay in defensive mode through a lop-sided clearance domination and intense forward 50 tackling pressure that ensured the ball remained largely in Hay’s attacking zone for a large chunk of the first quarter.

While we could expect a few cobwebs after a long break, Murrabit had perhaps forgotten that Declan Watson can make teams pay dearly very quickly.

Failing to manage his impact early saw the scoreboard register four goals against his name and clear signs he would again be a huge headache for any defence in the league.

Lions backline was tight, repelling any counter attack from the few clearances Murrabit were able to win, restricting them to a solitary point for the quarter.

Capitalise when you dominate is what the Lions did, taking a handy 32-point lead into the first break.

At the end of the first quarter, Hay were dominating 5:3 33 to Murrabit 0:1 1.

Murrabit had to find ways to flip the script.

In the second quarter they steadied and adapted to the pace bringing a more competitive edge to challenge the Lions earlier domination.

Clearances and inside 50 entries were relatively even between both teams.

This turned out to be the tightest quarter with only a goal the difference on the scoreboard in a low scoring scrappier contest with Murrabit not utilising the wind in any way as effectively as the Lions did in the first to score only a solitary major.

While Murrabit sacrificed multiple defenders to thwart Declan Watson’s impact, in giving him all of the attention, this allowed other forwards to find space and have some impact.

Again, the Lions backline was very organised in front of the footy, making it difficult for Murrabit to navigate their way through such a strong defensive unit with their unrelenting pressure starving them of scoring opportunities reflective in the half-time score.

Lions 7:6 48 to Murrabit 1:3 10.

It wasn’t until midway through the third quarter that the Lions found their scoring groove again with Murrabit up until then maintaining good pressure forcing Hay to tweak their game plan.

While unable to stop the Lions centre clearance dominance, Murrabit put a lot of their energy into stopping effective inside 50 entries which worked.

For a while, points were the only addition to Hay’s total.

This was until Will Collis kicked the first major from a glorious 60-metre punt inspiring others to get in on the act with four more goals following in quick succession through a mix of players.

While Murrabit managed to nab two majors, all their defensive effort failed to bridge the gap with the Lions taking a 60-point lead into the final break.

Lions stepped into the final quarter 12:11 83, to Murrabit’s 3:5 23.

In one last roll of the dice, for the first time in the match the Murrabit midfielders dominated the first three centre clearances gaining quick entry into their 50 zone to slot the first two goals matching it with the Lions onballers for disposal efficiency and impact.

While clearances were again relatively even in the last quarter, the Lions utilised their possession more efficiently.

They delivered the ball with pin point precision into the forward line, who capitalised, adding the most goals for the game with six majors through a mix of players.

This was also Murrabit’s best quarter, adding four goals and bringing a little respect to the scoreboard after what was essentially a drought for the first three.

Final score was Lions 18:13 121 to Murrabit 7:6 48.

In what was a good hit out for the Lions after a long lay-off, both coaches were extremely happy with the effort from all players.

A standout from the game was how clean and clinical the midfield was with their elite ball usage and exceptional decision making under pressure.

The team showed the benefit of playing together over last season and taking the learning of pre-season into the game.

Players showed a good understanding of one another’s game with positional changes for some players showing positive results.

The class of the new players in combination with the skill and fitness of Jack Cattanach are a ruckman’s dream come true, with James Moran relishing the opportunities presented.

While being double and triple tagged, Declan Watson still managed to kick eight goals for the match with the other 11 being spread evenly through the forward line in good signs for the Lions.

With a few players still to make their season debut, there is an element of excitement in the air with what might be.

Coaches Top 6 players.

Best on Jack Cattanach - the link that ties everything together. Seamless transition from offence to defence, an elite decision maker under pressure and his ability to anticipate and nullify oppositional ball movement is unrivalled.

Jacob Watson, Will Collis, Declan Watson, Joel Crocker, Jim Houston.

Goal scorers: Declan Watson 8, Liam Whitbourne 2, Gus Gardner 2, Will Collis 2, Jacob Watson 1, Jack Cattanach 1, Dean Aylett 1, Tom Spence 1, Jim Houston 1.

The Lions take to the road this Saturday to take on Moulamein Swans, who coming off a 100-point loss against 2023 runners-up Ultima, will be looking to make amends.

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