Marrar's first run in a preparation aimed at a third straight premiership was soured by a broken wrist to recruit Damian O'Donoghue on Monday night.
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The former Turvey Park footballer was injured in the first quarter of a four-goal loss to Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong at Gumly Oval.
Despite the setback, Marrar coach Shane Lenon expressed appreciation for the way the boys hit the field.
"I was pretty happy with the hit out, to be honest," Lenon said.
"Ganmain won the trial game by about 10 goals to six but we showed some good signs."
Even still, Lenon conceded there's just no substitute for a game well played.
"It was a good, solid hit-out, we got some good match practice but they were just a bit too good for us," he said.
"The only negative was young Damian O'Donoghue broke his wrist halfway through the first quarter.
"He's had a massive pre-season but he'll be out for six to eight weeks."
Zac Lewis also injured a shoulder but is expected to be right for their first game in mid-April.
But big man Nick Cooper of Thurgoona looked good in his first game, whether centre-half-forward, back or in the ruck.
While the Moye brothers, Jackson and Brad, were handy through the middle and up forward, Toby Lawler and Jed Jenkins pleased the coach.
The Lions were well served by Matt Hamblin and Matt Olsson.
Jethro Peck caught the eye up forward with a couple of goals and a handy performance.
Originally to be played last week, the game was shortened to 15-minute quarters because Marrar will have a second pre-season practice match this Saturday at Collingullie.
Lenon said both sides were missing a few players but it offered a genuine glimpse into how they'll shape up.
"We had a very young side," Lenon said.
"Probably two-thirds of the side would've been 18 or under.
"But we will have a young side.
"That's how the makeup of the team will be. And they'll all be better for the run."
Meanwhile, in the Southern NSW women's league, CSU Bushpigs are staring down the talented Griffith Swans.
The Bushpigs, winners of last year's inaugural series, have lost just one game in two short seasons, going down in Griffith. While the Swans coasted into Friday night's grand final with four straight wins.