Played at Lake Bolac Recreation Reserve, the MDFL was unable to comeback from a 42-point halftime deficit, eventually going down by 33 points — 10.7 (67) to 15.10 (100).

Golden Rivers got the jump on the home side in the opening quarter, dominating general play to lead by 16 points at the first change.

The margin was quickly extended in the second term as the MDFL struggled to make the most of its forward-50 entries, which saw the team limp into halftime with just two majors to their name.

Mininera coach Mick Jennings said his side made basic skill errors in the opening half.

“In the first half we didn’t handle the ball well at all,” he said.

“Our efficiency with both hand and foot was well down and theirs was pretty high. The big difference was that they hit their targets and we weren’t able to.

“The main message to the boys at halftime was that they have been picked as the best players in the league, their commitment had been fantastic at training, so we knew the potential was there and just to lift the skills and use the ball better.

“To their credit they responded and performed much better in the second half.”

Damian Cameron led the MDFL’s revival, dictating play out of defence, with the Tatyoon star ably assisted by SM&W Rovers’ ball magnet John Forbes.

“Those two were definitely the standouts,” Jennings said.

“Damo was fantastic across the halfback line for us. He was an absolute rock and just rebounded everything that came his way.

“If we didn’t have him and John in the side we would have found ourselves a lot further behind by halftime.”

The third quarter saw the Mininera outscore its opposition, 4.5 to 2.2, with Aaron McKinnis providing plenty of drive forward and captain Justin Eales working hard through the midfield.

By three quarter time the MDFL had reduced the margin to under five goals, but the team was unable to pull off an unlikely victory with both teams going goal-for-goal in the final term.

Jennings said Wickliffe/Lake Bolac premiership coach Nic Willox played a big role in helping the Mininera fight its way back into the match, while he also praisee the effort of leading goal scorer Aidan Bell.

“Aidan made the most of every opportunity and he was probably one of the few players on the team that handled the ball well all day,” he said.

“He was very clean and I think he actually kicked five from five, I don’t recall him missing.

“I think even though we were up against it throughout the match the boys never gave up and that was the most pleasing thing.

“They had faith in each other and worked really hard to lift their intensity in the second half.”

Ruckman Lachie Reichman from Hawkesdale/Macarthur was a casualty of the match, injuring his calf midway through the contest.

Jennings said the only disappointing aspect was crowd attendance, which was well down on expectation.

“I was a bit surprised, because we generally have fantastic club support throughout the Mininera,” he said.

“Everything else was great, personally the experience has been fantastic. I have loved being involved in interleague again.

“I certainly think all the representatives got a lot out of it and the key indicator after the match was let’s get back together again next year, so I’d like to thank the league for getting it back up and running.”