WHILE it was only a practice match, Bright coach Ryan Kent would have been pleased with what he saw from his side's first competitive hitout for 2012.
The Mountain Men hosted Omeo-Benambra from the Omeo and District Football League on the other side of Mt Hotham, for an extended game of six 15-minute intervals.
In testing conditions at Pioneer Park, Kent had a squad of 30 players to use, which helped as the day progressed.
The game was evenly poised from the beginning with both sides giving away signs to the crowd it was their first time on the field for the season, with some sloppy patches of footy displayed.
New recruits Ryan Peace and Nick Howden gave a strong indication of what they will offer to the Mountain Men this season with dominant form in attack.
Howden in particular was impressive with his speed and skill execution, managing to kick three majors, while dishing off a handful of assists in the three periods he played.
There were also positive signs from Alpine Eagles under 18 graduates who will provide Bright with some spark in the middle of the ground.
The likes of Jai Dykstra fitted in alongside skipper Steve Nightingale in the midfield, while Michael Sullivan was impressive up forward when Peace and Howden were off the ground.
Blaze Jordan and Daniel Wallace, who have both returned to the club from Melbourne this season, will be an asset for Kent with their versatility after showing plenty of promise in their various roles across the ground at the weekend.
The scoreboard wasn't a major focus of the day for the squad, but they snuck home with an 11-point win with a couple of late goals in the sixth term.
A number of players, including Kent, who used the day to closely watch his players, experienced backman Jason Hewitt and youngsters Nathan Jones and Steven Pack were just some of the names missing from the clash who should slot into the senior side in the regular season.
Only two weeks of training remain until the Mountain Men come up against archrival Whorouly in front of a bumper crowd on the Easter long weekend.
By - ALEX BAIRD.
PLAN OF ATTACK: Bright coach Ryan Kent addresses his charges during a practice match against Omeo-Benambra on the weekend.
PHOTO: Alex Baird
Last Modified on 21/03/2012 20:24