The 8.10 (58) to 5.4 (34) scoreline does not show how difficult it was for the Burras to secure the win under lights at Murtoa.

Minyip-Murtoa coach Damian Cameron said it was pleasing to get the win.

“There was a bit of rust early,” he said.

“We are trying a few different things and it will probably take us a few weeks but it was good to get the win in a tough game.”

Heading into the game, the Tigers were a bit of an unknown entity and the side used that to its advantage to get the jump on the home side.

While both sides registered four scoring shots in the first quarter, it was the Tigers that were more clinical to open up a 10-point advantage.

Nhill coach Alan Bennett said it was pleasing to see his side start well.

“We had talked about it prior to the game, so it was good to see the start we had,” he said.

“On the flipside, though, you would like to think you can take a half-time lead and go on with it.”

Minyip-Murtoa started to settle after the first quarter but continued to miss opportunities.

“Our skills let us down and made it more difficult than it had to be at times,” Cameron said.

Nhill struggled to create chances at the other end due to good defensive work.

The Tigers could only manage a single goal for the quarter but headed into half-time with  a one-point lead.

The home side came out after half-time intent on strangling any Nhill scoring opportunities.

Bennett said the game changed in the second half.

“Minyip-Murtoa just moved the ball a lot better than us,” he said.

“They showed a lot more skill and were cleaner with their execution.

The endeavour and commitment of our guys was still fantastic.”

Cameron said it was a group effort to control the second half of the game.

“Nhill worked really well in numbers early and were getting us on the spread,” he said.

“We lacked a bit of accountability at that point but we lifted as a group as the game went on.”

A four goal to one behind third quarter set Minyip-Murtoa up well to finish the game.

Bennett said Nathan Sachse and the rest of his back line played well.

“He is just a really experienced player who reads the play well,” he said.

“He was very good at full-back last season as well.”

Jordan Delahunty made his debut for the Burras.

Cameron said the young player did well all game.