Missing the talented Paul Hofman, Ben Murray and Skip Patterson and others from last season, combined with injuries to captain Simon Hepworth and playmaker Adam Benson, put the seniors under pressure.

Recruits Brett Fisher, Matt Fuller, youngsters Bryce Antonio and Liam Hepworth all stemmed the tide somewhat in their first senior games for the club.

Springbank, however, seemed in a different league - too strong, agile, fit and systematic - and scored a thumping 17-goal victory.

Fisher raked in some great marks and Fuller provided positivity from full back, while Caleb and Liam Hepworth both managed to produce cameos against the odds.

Some more grit towards game's end was a boost while all players will benefit from the hit out and greater fitness will be a key factor in performance improvement .

The Reserves led until the dying stages of the third quarter before tiring to a 23 point loss.

Brad Murray was a star up forward while Chris Atkinson and Darren Medwell sparkled in the midfield.

Under-18 held sway all day after using the breeze to advantage early.

Springbank closed to 10 points in the last term but fierce defence from Pearce and Bryce Antonio kept them at bay and when Josh Szabo dashed clear to goal the match was sealed.

Other fine players were Liam Hepworth, Teague Wilson and Todd Page.

The under-15 team trailed by 19 points early but great play down back by John McGuigan and Billy Marshman reduced it to just 14 at the last change with the wind to follow.

Both teams were tired and scoring dried up leaving Springbank to deservedly celebrate. Peter Griffin, Steve Knowles and Mitch Gervasoni also in best.

The under-12 team was the one team to finish strongly and they scraped home by two points.

Jarrod Gilingham and Dom Flynn were the stand-outs. Mitch Jarvis, Michael Booth and Jackson Scholten also played well.