With their maiden premiership flag flying high over the ground, the Whalers took out the season opener 5-5-35 to 2-5-17.

The rematch between the two top tier ladies sides was a highlight in the Sapphire Coast AFL opening round and the two teams did not disappoint with an extravagant display of speed and skill. 

It was the Sea Eaglettes taking the front early with a couple of kicks finding the mark for the visitors to lead 13-0 early into the second quarter. 

However, the Whalers were quickly finding their feet and putting on some blazingly quick passages of play.

Eden was fit and fast, often blasting past their Tathra opponents and, in later stages, dominating mark contests. 

Ebony Dykhoff-Darrington put in work from the ruck and was rewarded with a goal on the day. 

Meanwhile, the Mitchell sisters of Mel and Kate put on a regular strong display with some good marks and long-range kicking offensives. 

Tyler Crowe had some great ball contests on the fringes and helped push play forward for the Whalers. 

But it was Kamilla Grubesic flying high as a standout with a two goal haul in a best-on-ground showing. 

By late in the second quarter Eden peeled one point in front 14-13, but then started adding points and keeping the Eaglettes quiet. 

The Whalers kicked two unanswered goals in the final quarter with Grubesic kicking a goal in the dying minutes to seal the result. 

The seniors were also well in the hunt against the defending premiers until the three-quarter break before the Sea Eagles burst out an 11-goal final period. 

At the main break the Whalers were trailing by about 30 points with Cody Herd leading from the front and Liam Wilkinson also relevant on the scoreboard. 

Unfortunately for the hosts, the visitors hit a feverish pace in the last period with Dean Gartside and Louis Coulton lapping up the points with nine and eight goals respectively for the day. 

Coulton was awarded the Anzac Best on Ground medal for his efforts. 

Earlier the club’s under 11s had secured a 50-point win over the Eagles juniors. 

Jai Grant and Jack Pollock were the main destroyers, kicking three goals apiece in the tearaway win for the Eden juniors. 

This Saturday the Whalers head up the road to Bermagui’s Dickinson Oval for a showdown with the Breakers. 

Play is from 11.50am for juniors and seniors bounce at 2.30pm.