outfit on Sunday.

Captain Kimmy McLean (nee Hill), Michelle Aslin and Liz Thomas all slotted doubles with Tessa Pennefather adding the extras as Services took the first round points 7-nil.

McLean said it was a great start.

“Very happy with that,” she said.

For a first game there was a lot to like.

“We were talking from start to finish, which helped,” Mclean said.

The communication was one of the most impressive aspects.

Their connection and passing game was also good and they were able to assert a lot of pressure on the Flames defence with their urgency in the circle.

“We were all on the goalie and getting little touches in,” McLean said.

“We were aggressive and kept scrambling in there.”

Pennefather, Kate Perrett and Gabbi D’Ambros got the points but everyone played well, McLean said.

She was particularly full of praise for the second graders backing up.

They had three that had played the game before.

Flames had seven – five in the starting side and two subs.

The defending champions are a very different looking outfit this season. They’ve had a big turnover of players.

There were probably only four or five of the side that won the title last year playing on Sunday.

Barrie Pritchard has come on board to help them out and wasn’t too disheartened by the result.

“It was a real battle today – first game for the season, it was very hot and there have been a lot of changes in the club,” he said

“It was a good effort in that regard.”

It was 4-nil at half-time.

“The first half they were a little bit scrappy in the circle,” Pritchard said.

“Outletting the ball was hard for them.”

They really struggled to clear it.

“At half-time we spoke about a few patterns to follow,” he said.

“A couple of times they managed to execute.”

He said Mel Allen had an excellent game under a lot of pressure at the back. “Bec May and Tegan Smith also played well defensively. They were under the pump,” he said.

Tracey Fisher also played well in the centre against McLean.

“She got through a lot of work,” he said.

He thought Maddie Doyle also did some good things.

“They can only get better,” he said.