LSWFL: Imperials defeat Tigers in a highly competitive first round of football

The first round of the Lower South West Football League season commenced last weekend with the Imperials defeating the Tigers in a spectacular game of highly competitive football.

The two Manjimup teams went head-to-head on Saturday at the Manjimup Recreation Ground with the final margin of 24 points demonstrating the Imperials’ top-four intentions this year.

The first three rain-impacted quarters of the game had spectators on the edge of their seats with nearly every goal taken answered immediately by the opposing side.

The Imperials finished the first quarter on top 4.2 (26) to 2.1 (13) however, within a few minutes of the second quarter Tigers’ Reece Edwards reduced the margin to seven points, marking a well-timed ball in the 50 before running in for a fantastic goal.

Imperials captain Connor Ipsen answered the advance with a goal of his own however, it was goal-for-goal throughout the rest of the quarter with the Tigers scrapping a final goal in to put them four points in front going into half-time.

The third quarter played out much the same with spectacular goal-scoring and mid-field performances from both sides with the ending score in the Imperials’ favour, 10.6 (66) to 7.8 (50).

However, with the return of the sun in the final term, the Imperials’ took over the game allowing only one goal and a point to the away-side to two goals and three points of their own.

The best performances came from Harry Curtin, Zachary Hall, deputy vice-captain Heath Bernardin, Matthew Seymour, Scott Gizzarelli and Mackenna Taylor from the Imperials, while Zane Russo, Liam Edwards, Jared Johnston, captain Jozef Parkinson and Steven Giles were nominated for the Tigers.

Goal kickers for the Imperials included Max East and Gizzarelli with three, Curtin and Ipsen with two, and Bernardin and Jaxon Pitts with one.

Goal kickers for the Tigers included Reece Edwards with two, and Tyler Bennett, Robert Dawson, Ryan Edwards, Jack Ioannou, Parkinson and Johnston with one.

Deanmill also defeated Kojonup in round one last weekend with a score of 6.5 (41) to 4.10 (34) at the Deanmill Football Club.

The Tigers will get another opportunity to demonstrate their competitiveness for the 2023 season when they take on Southerners at Rea Park in Manjimup at 2pm, while the Imperials will get to test their skills against 2022 minor premiers Deanmill at Manjimup Recreation Ground.

Bridgetown and Boyup Brook will play their first game on the season at Bridgetown Sports Oval next Saturday, while Kojonup are on a bye.