A victory to begin the 2018 season has evaded Montmorency, after going down by 27 points against the old rivals in Greensborough at War Memorial Park.
Despite a six-goal second quarter to put themselves in the lead for the first time in the match, the Magpies were unable to contend with the Boro's fluent and polished midfield in the second half.
Ben Walton and Patrick Fitzgerald starred up forward for the Magpies with three goals apiece, while new recruit Tyrone Leornardis was prolific in the centre of the ground.
With heavy rain clearing and the wind easing prior to the opening bounce, conditions were optimal for Monty's free-flowing style of football.
But it was Greensborough who burst onto the scene early; a rapid flurry of behinds letting the Magpies off the hook before Joshua Grubb slotted the opening major of the game at the six-minute mark.
Boro's ability to force turnovers from the defensive kick-outs could have resulted in a far uglier scoreboard, with the Magpies fortunate their opposition's goal-kicking was wayward for the term.
Up the other end of the ground, the Boro's defence acted like a springboard, repelling any Monty advances and sending the ball flying back into their forward line.
Although a skilful tackle by Connor Dalgleish eventually paved the way for a Benjamin Fennell major, from then on, the quarter well and truly belonged to Greensborough.
Piling on the next four goals within eight minutes - two of which were a direct result of their aggressive rebounding from defence - the Boro raced away to a 29-point lead at quarter-time.
Just shy of a five-goal decifit at the first change, Montmorency were determined to restore their hardness around the contest and stifle Greensborough's constant press toward goal.
While Boro's Jacob Pickett soured a perfect start for Monty with a major against the howling wind, the Magpies soon kicked into gear and booted the next six goals in what was a classy display.
Boom recruit Ben Kennedy and Brent Fotheringhame highlighted their zippy foot skills, outmanoeuvring their opponents to give Walton his first of the day.
The Magpies began to fire in the centre, with Joel McLellan dominating the ruck contests with his massive leaps, giving the midfielders first use of the ball.
Their skill execution much cleaner and their movement across the ground far more cohesive, Monty were too much for the now flailing Boro, who failed to register another score for the quarter.
As last year's Best and Fairest winner Patrick Fitzgerald added two majors to his name, the momentum began to fall in Monty’s favour as the goals kept coming.
Leonardis' efforts in the midfield finally paid dividends as he capitalised on a Greensborough spillage, while Danko Bzenic’s presence was felt as he booted yet another Magpie major minutes later.
It wasn’t until Walton secured his second goal that the Magpies finally nudged their way in front, entering half-time with a three-point advantage.
As the wind picked up in the third term, as did Greensborough’s momentum as they stacked on three unanswered goals to regain the lead.
The Magpies were once again blessed by the Boro’s inaccurate 3.8 for the term, yet Michael Fitz-Gerald and Sam Binion toiled hard in defence, stagnating their key forwards from truly firing.
Stephen McCallum attempted to reignite the Magpies’ spark, utilising his speed and dare to recapture their run and carry style of football.
Despite the wind blowing against them, Monty struggled to hit targets up forward; their lead now relinquished as they entered the final term 20 points behind.
Although Greensborough got the jump over the Pies at the start of the quarter once again through Brodie Tickell, there was no denying the fight within the black and white army.
Things got heated among the cold, as tempered flared in small skirmishes along the wing.
Channelling their newfound aggression, the Magpies capitalised through Walton, who converted on the right flank before new recruit Matt White cut the margin back to just 15 points following a 50m penalty.
With Fitzgerald booting his third midway through the term, Greensborough’s lead stood at only single figures; the chance of a late steal now on the cards.
Yet the Boro had more hunger, with their fluent and efficient midfield the cornerstone of three consecutive majors to put the game out of the Magpies’ reach.
Montmorency will have their sights set on notching up their maiden win of the season in their first home game against last season's Division Two premiers, North Heidelberg.
GREENSBOROUGH 5.8 6.8 9.16 13.19 (97)
MONTMORENCY 1.3 7.5 7.8 10.10 (70)
GOALS
Greensborough: J. Ireland 2, J. Rogers 2, J. Johnston, J. Pickett, A. Stellas, J. Grubb, T. Stead, S. Clark, T. Smith, B. Tickell, A. Cataldo
Montmorency: B. Walton 3, P. Fitzgerald 3, M. White, B. Fennell, T. Leonardis, D. Bzenic
BEST
Greensborough: J. Ireland, N. Riddle, J. Johnston, D. McLinden, J. Rogers, J. Callaway
Montmorency: B. Walton, P. Fitzgerld, T. Leonardis, B. Fennell, S. Binion, M. Fitz-Gerald
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