By Trevor Jackson
Mount Burr 13.9 (87) d Kongorong 2.7 (19)
MOUNT Burr made short work of its Mid South East football Round 1 clash on Saturday, with a comfortable victory over Kongorong.
The Mozzies were never troubled in the contest, with a 19-point lead at the first break.
From there they simply controlled the contest, building to a solid score.
Kongorong kicked its first goal in the opening term, but was held goal-less in the next two, before adding its second in the final stanza.
Jack Gregory was again a focal point for the Mozzies, banging on four goals, while Dylan Ridley kicked three.
Incoming coach Clint Gallio certainly had his players up and about, particularly up forward with eight individual goal kickers.
For Gallio it was certainly a good day, back at his home club and some expectations probably high for success.
“It has been good to be back,” he said.
“Obviously it was a hard to decision to leave initially and a hard decision to leave Millicent to go back.
“To get a win first up was really pleasing.”
Despite the win, Gallio said there was plenty to improve on, which he seems confident will happen as the season unfolds.
“We have a lot of improvement to go because everything we have been doing is new to the group,” he said.
“It wasn’t perfect, but I think we have done enough to hold us in good stead.”
While the Mozzies appeared to control the contest from the outset, Gallio said the Hawks applied a fair amount of pressure at the start of the contest.
That had the Mount Burr leaders thinking and they came up with the answer.
“Kongorong started really well and their pressure early was great,” Gallio said.
“We kind of half worked out what they were doing and were able to get the footy through easy enough in the end.”
The final term was also pleasing to the new coach, with his side showing plenty of fitness on what turned out to be a warm day for football.
“The whole senior group put in a lot of work and we are in good shape,” Gallio said.
“Fitness is something we have worked on hard and we were able to run the game out which was pleasing.”
Up forward Gregory was a prime target and Gallio said he played and important role for the side.
“A lot of ball goes through him and he is so crafty,” he said.
“He is good in the air and on his feet.
“When it hits the ground he wins 90 percent of the time and he gives us a great target up forward.”
Likewise Sam Wallis played his role to perfection, named best on ground for a good reason.
“Sam was playing centre half back, full back and I think he might have taken 20-odd marks,” Gallio said.
“He chopped off everything.
“Him and his brother are a pretty good pair down there for us.”
As for Gallio himself, he played a solid role through the mid-field then was able to drop back and take stock of how the team was performing.
He was voted third best for his efforts, but simply stated it was all about each player playing to his own strengths.
At the end of the day Gallio said he was always going to return to Mount Burr at some stage.
Having been involved with five senior premierships at the club, then a recent three-peat for Millicent in the old Western Border league, there was always going to pressure for success involved.
However, Gallio simply brushed that off.
“I have never coached here before, so that is a challenge for me,” he said.
“We aren’t looking too far ahead, but we have buy in from the group, which is 90 percent of your trouble.
“Everyone has been full force into what we are doing and learning, so I can’t fault that.
“It is a bit of a cliché, but we will just tick off week by week.”
