OFA 2024: Lake Grace-Pingrup smash Jerramungup, Gnowangerup get early jump on Newdegate in season return

A punishing Lake Grace-Pingrup bounced back from last year’s grand final heartache by making light work of wooden spoon holders Jerramungup in the opening round of the Ongerup Football Association. After a gut-wrenching defeat in the 2023 decider to Newdegate, the Bombers unleashed an onslaught of goals on the Eagles on Saturday to walk away 64-point victors on their home deck. The Bombers soared in a goal frenzy, marching to an 18.15 (123) to 9.5 (59) victory, spearheaded by Regan Smith (six goals) and last year’s leading goal kicker Jackson Callope (four). The match began with a scintillating shootout, with the Bombers booting six majors to the Eagles’ five in the opening quarter before the hosts flexed their muscles in the second to take a 22-point half-time advantage. The Bombers tightened the screws even more in the third, holding the Eagles goalless while piling on five majors themselves and storming to a soul-crushing 52-point lead heading into the final change. Luke Bairstow, Trivan Davey, Smith and Callope were all enormous for the Bombers across all quarters, while Harris Regan (three goals) and Wade Bambling (two) were their other avenues to goal. Eagles’ gun recruit Caleb Keley fought hard all day and finished with six goals on debut, while Riley Holden, Alex Baum and Flynn Spark were their other key contributors. Reigning premiers Newdegate were slow to get going in their title defence after being handed a 30-point defeat by Gnowangerup at home on Saturday. The Bulldogs unveiled their prized recruit Timm House in their 12.16 (88) to 9.4 (58) victory, but it was another addition who was their standout performer. Key forward Connor Smallwood made a dream debut for the Bulldogs, booting a match-high five goals and leading his side to a sensational road victory. The Bulldogs launched out of the blocks with a four-goals-to-nil first quarter, proving the difference between the two sides. They each traded goals for the rest of the game but the Lions were not able to claw back the margin they leaked in the opener. Bulldogs’ Connor Hawkins, Ethan Caldwell and Finn Synnot were all prolific in their side’s strong performance. Jacob Conti, Riley Bridger and Max Nield toiled hard for the home side, and Chris Wollaston was their only multiple goal scorer with two.

OFA 2024: Lake Grace-Pingrup smash Jerramungup, Gnowangerup get early jump on Newdegate in season return

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