Coach Steve Downey was more than pleasantly surprised at the enormous result.

“We stuck to our structure all game,” he said.

“We use to stray from our structure halfway through games last year and it would allow the other teams to get back into the contest.”

Despite missing key players Glenn Turner, due to national duties, and brothers Jake and Ben Staines due to NSW training, the Geckos weren’t phased and were on the board just minutes into the match.

Todd Devlin found an unmarked Dean Evans who opened the scoring.

Devlin continued to dominate the midfield and after another 15 minutes he again found Evans who tomahawked the ball into the top of the net.

Daniel Flemming then scored a double in the 20th and 33rd minutes to make it 4-0.

Flemming’s first was a great field goal set up by Blake and Dean Robertson, and his second was a rebound from a penalty corner.

As the half time siren sounded, the Geckos were awarded a penalty corner which Aaron Kershaw capitalised on, drilling a low shot which beat the keeper into the back board. The Geckos went into the halftime break an outstanding 5-0 up.

The second half was no different, with Goulburn on the attack. New recruit Todd Unicomb finished off some fine passing to also score a double on debut in the 38th and 45th minutes.

With a 7-0 lead, usual defender Kurt Devlin found himself in the circle after some great passing moves, and scored to make it 8-nothing.

With three minutes remaining coach Steve Downey slapped a hard shot from the top of the circle to make it a decisive 9-0 to begin the season.

“Last year our focus was fitness, and we’re still maintaining that aspect, but it’s more about cleaning up on our game plan and sticking to structures,” Downey said.

Best players for the Geckos: Todd Devlin, Dean Evans Todd Unicomb and keeper Shaun Anable.

Best for Vikings: Dave Harley and Matt Hope