OFA 2026: Big opening round victories for Jerramungup and Boxwood Hill as premiers Gnowangerup trounced

The opening round of the new Ongerup Football Association had commanding wins for both Jerramungup and Boxwood Hill, with reigning premiers Gnowangerup trounced. The Eagles were ultra impressive in round one on Saturday, thumping the Bulldogs by 98 points in a replay of last year’s grand final at Jerramungup. Boxwood also got four points on the board early in their new campaign, as they emerged 62-point winners against Newdegate at Newdegate. After their grand final defeat last year, the Eagles got the best possible start as they piled on 13 goals in a clinical first half. Led by spearhead and prized off-season recruit Hayden Parker, the Eagles added more pain the second half as they ran out victors 25.16 (166) to 10.8 (68). Parker, who kicked 98 goals in a premiership-winning campaign with Railways in the Great Southern Football League, will play for the Eagles this season. He wasted no time in Eagles colours, booting nine majors to set up the big result. The Eagles premiership hopes have also been boosted by the inclusion of midfield star Flynn Spark, who has returned from a stint with the Darwin Buffaloes in the Northern Territory Football League. Six goals in the first term had the Eagles ahead by 28 points and that margin was extended to 38 by half-time. The Bulldogs managed just three goals in the second half however, the home side running riot. Heath Spinks (four goals) and Riley Holden (three) were also strong avenues to attack for the winners. Joining Parker in the best players were Charlie Mckinlay, Harrison Brown and Nic Winters. Murray Hayward enjoyed a strong afternoon for the Bulldogs and kicked three goals while Connor Smallwood (two). Bodean Morton and Lewis Davis (two) also toiled hard. Meanwhile, Boxwood broke the game open against the Lions after half-time. The margin was only 15 points at quarter-time but the visitors added three majors in the second to have control of the contest at the long break. It was 10 goals to five in favour of Boxwood in the last half, coasting to victory in the end 17.12 (114) to 8.4 (52). Nic Bertola was superb with four goals for Boxwood and was well supported by Samuel Bertola and last year’s Ganzer medallist Hayden Richter. George Bungey, Michael Swarbrick, Luke Treeby and Rohan Vaux were the other multiple goal kickers. For the Lions their better performers were Jorrum Tucker, Matthew Dykes, Steven Wiech and Harrison Bermingham while Dean Rintoul finished with two goals. In round two this Saturday, Lake Grace-Pingrup will play their first game when hosting Jerramungup and Gnowangerup will face Newdegate in Gnowangerup.