A gutsy 34-12 win over Narellan Jets has thrown down the gauntlet to critics of South West Goannas, the team predicted to be flogged every week in the 2024 Macarthur Conference rugby league competition.
The Goannas went to the break 12-0 down, but scored 34 unanswered points in the second half in an impressive performance.
What was even more impressive was that the Goannas endured the sight of one of their reserve grade players being treated by paramedics in the middle of the field after suffering a serious leg injury.
With paramedics still treating the injured player in the main field of Narellan Sports Centre at 3pm, the scheduled kick off, officials made a decision to play the first grade game at field number two.
The home side managed to snag two tries in what was an arm wrestle in the first 40 minutes, but it was a different story in the second stanza.
Jets tries came in the 11th minute and almost on the stroke of half time, with both being converted.
But just eight minutes into the second half the Goannas were celebrating their first points of 2024.
They scored that first try after a mountain of possession and it was a matter of time before the Jets defence would buckle.
Three minutes later the Goannas were in again, and with a conversion tied the scores at 12-12.
The signs were not good for the Jets as the Goannas surged forward, scoring a third to grab an 18-12 lead with 20 minutes left on the clock.
Jets tried to get back into the game, but the Goannas showed they will also have steel in defence this season by thwarting any try scoring opportunities by the home side.
And once the Goannas regained the momentum, they played plenty of footy, even from their own tryline, spreading the ball quickly to the edges.
Three more tries was the result, giving the Goannas a deserved 34-12 victory over the Jets.
