Select grade below

Action-packed pre-season football graces Wagin Oval

Tuesday, February 4, 2014 - 12:52 PM

SATURDAY kicked off at Wagin Sporting Complex with a Level One AFL coaching course conducted by South Fremantle colts coach Arthur Maskos.

While the course was in action, colts and Upper Great Southern players fueled up on a breakfast prepared by local volunteers.

A few took to the field in the morning to conduct Auskick clinics for younger players, handing down their valuable footie experience.

An afternoon game between the colts and area team UGS kicked off with early goals to the visitors.

The colts continued their assault, pushing their score to 10.7 (67) at half-time with UGS on 1.2 (8).

Coming into the second half, the visitors let UGS reach 1.3 (9) but carried a win home of a 24-10 (154) score.

After the game, Maskos said he was happy with the fitness of both teams and didn't go into the game looking to bring down the UGS boys.

"The country boys are always more than welcome to come up and have a run with us when their in Fremantle," Maskos said.

"We can now reassess where we are at for the coming season. [Wagin Football Club] has been fantastic, the community has been great and our boys were thankful for the breakfast this morning."

Maskos said he had his eye on a couple of UGS players and would be watching to see how they develop.

UGS Coach Rodney Nicholson said he was pleased to see the team get some experience on the field pre-season.

"I think we had a good hit out today. We really just want to see where we are at," Nicholson said.

"We played a fit Fremantle side and from that we now have a target to work towards. We'll start with the basics and work our way up from there."

Assistant coach and Great Southern Football development officer Steve Boughton said the team played well in patches.

He said the country side would benefit from a new program set to make its debut this year - the Upper Great Southern Talent Academy.

"Our players will get the same program the colts are on. It should give the boys an even playing field with city teams," Boughton said.