Centrals take down South Mandurah for round one win | photos

In the first ever game under lights at Mundijong Oval, Centrals unleashed new recruit Mitch Clark, but it was a team-based effort that lifted them to the win.

Clark was one of three Centrals players to boot a hatrick of goals as their forward line caused headaches for the Falcons in the second half.

Ash McGrath and Daniel Wilson chipped in with their trio of majors showing their host of football experience will be a force moving forward in 2017.

The game started as a tight affair, with both sides trying to throw the first punch early.

South Mandurah went into quarter time with three goals next to their name and a five-point advantage on the scoreboard.

Keegan Power started the game well and was prolific all night for the Falcons, but Centrals hit back in the second to take an eight-point lead into the main break.

It was after the break the home side decided to put their foot down.

Led by efforts from Christopher Lee and Paul Mugambwa, Centrals booted seven goals to South Mandurah’s none in the third term in a statement that told the rest of the league they are ready to improve on their sixth-placed finish from 2016.

Their premiership-quarter romping buoyed them to an eight-goal lead at the final change.

But the Falcons, who were left with just one on the bench after a string of injuries, refused to lie down meekly.

South Mandurah booted the first three goals of the term as they stormed back into the fold, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a rampaging Centrals outfit.

Falcons coach Daniel Haines said he was pleased with his side’s ability to respond after a lapse in the third.

“I challenged the boys at three-quarter-time to run the game out and I was really pleased with the way they responded,” he said

“We were up against a good side who will be really hard to beat this year so to make sure we fought out that fourth quarter was important.”

The coach said he was pleased with his side’s midfield performance, but would look to work on play at the ends of the ground.

“I think we had enough opportunities, but we missed some goals we really should have converted,” he said.

“We also let them get a couple of easy ones. It’s nothing disastrous but just little things we’ll continue to work on.”

Much like the Centrals game, the remaining three matches benefited teams that finished below their round one counterparts in 2016.

Seven goals from Riese Wilkey lifted Pinjarra to an 8.7 (55) to 11.4 (70) win over Waroona, while reigning premiers Baldivis fell to Rockingham in a thriller.

The Rams failed to kick a goal in the third term but still did enough to notch their first win, holding on for a 9.14 (68) to 11.8 (74) win.

But perhaps the most celebratory result of the round went to the Mandurah Mustangs, who edged out Halls Head to claim their first win since round nine, 2015.

It might have been 664 days between victories, but the Mustangs will be hoping their 5.11 (41) to 11.11 (77) win is a sign of better days to come.

7 – Riese Wilkey (Pinjarra)

4 – Tyson Hodge (Mandurah)

3 – Ash McGrath (Centrals)

3 – John Bennell (South Mandurah)

3 – Luke Dowling (Rockingham)

3 – Mitch Clark (Centrals)

3 – Kyle Hinchcliffe (Rockingham)

3 – Brad Holmes (South Mandurah)

3 – Daniel Wilson (Centrals)