Glenorchy took on our regular pre-season opponents Ulverstone in a practice game in very warm weather at Abbottsfield Park on Sunday 9 March.

Glenorchy opened the game well with Shane Piuselli, Ben Sweeney and Bryce O'Garey dominating in the centre and around the ground. David Hunt and Chris Glenn showing good early form up forward. The old firm of Curran, Kamaric and Keeley ably assisted by O'Halloran were well on top on the backline resulting in an 18 point lead at quarter time.

After Ulverstone kicked the first two goals of the second quarter Glenorchy again got on top with Jonothan Bowring leading and marking well on the forward line, increasing the lead to 25 points at half time.

Coach Bowden rang the changes at half time resting Curran and Piuselli for the remainder of the game, while David Hunt was forced from the ground with an injury. This gave an opportunity for some other players and some players who have not had as much as a pre-season to have a run in the second half.

Ulverstone came back hard in the third quarter cutting the lead to 4 points at three quarter time and then continuing on in the last quarter to run out winners by 15 points.

Good signs in the second half included the form shown by younger players in Jake Cox, Ryan Harwood and Brodie Shade (recruited from New Norfolk) and the marking up forward in the last quarter by Marcus Stevanovich (another player returning to the Club in 2008).

All in all this was a good first up run for the team and showed that with our full team fit and on the ground we should be very competitive again this year.

Final Scores: Ulverstone 16-5-101 d Glenorchy 13-8-86

Goalkickers: Glenn 3, Hunt 2, Bowring 2, Stevanovich 2, Kean 2, B O'Garey 1, French 1

Best Players: (remembering some players only played a half or so): Keeley, B O'Garey, Sweeney, Curran, Kean, Stevanovich, Piuselli

Source: Mick Bowden - Senior Coach GDFC