However, the club suffered losses in both the senior and women's grades.

After being handed a first-round bye in seniors and a forfeit in the women's last weekend, both teams headed out hungry for their first test of the year.

The defending premiers in the women's competition, Eden were upstaged by an agile Bermagui outfit 6-7-43 to 1-1-7.

Carra Sheldon was the sole goal-kicker for the Whalers in a testing first round.

Maddy Barry was a dominant force for Bermagui with three goals to her name, while Grace Gowing backed up with a further two majors.

Shyanne Walker and Tyler Crowe were among the best players for the Whalers.

The Whalers faced Merimbula at Berrambool in the senior competition and were handed a comprehensive loss by the Diggers, who now lead the ladder.

The Whalers went down 17-17-119 to 2-1-13 after the Merimbula outfit piled on eight goals in the third quarter.

Unfortunately the Whalers weren't afforded many opportunities at the forward end of the field, kicking one goal in the second quarter and finding a second in the last period.

Matthew Molkentin and Reece Moulden led the goal scoring for the Diggers scoring four and three respectively.

The Diggers were dominant throughout, kicking three goals in the first and second quarters, before bagging a big haul after the main break to lock in a clear win.

Play returns on April 27 with Eden to face Tathra.