Ben Fleming kicked three goals on debut in the Eagles’ season-opener against Terang Mortlake at a rain-swept Bushfield Recreation Reserve.

The creative forward joined the club from Hampden league rival Warrnambool in the off-season and made an immediate impression on new Eagles co-coaches Graeme Twaddle and Brendan Murfett.

Twaddle was full of praise for the Emmanuel College student after the game.

“In these conditions for a light fella, he might have kicked three goals, he did a sensational job,” he said.

“Our forward line pressure was sensational. That injection of new players with Jaymen Fletcher, Timmy O’Brien, Parish and Ben has injected a little bit of enthusiasm too and it’s straightened us up a little bit.

“If we can win the ball in the middle of the ground now we can sort of start funnelling it through Parish and Adam Wines, who I thought presented really well today too.”

Fleming, 17, said he was surprised to earn a round one call-up considering he is yet to play an under 18½ game.

He was even more shocked to make a big contribution on the scoreboard.

His first kick at senior level was a goal as the Eagles slotted the first four majors to shock the Bloods.

But Fleming played down his effort, labelling it “a fluke”.

“I was rapt,” he said of wearing the blue and yellow.

“I will just try and keep my spot and see how I go.”

Fleming followed friends Zac Bussell and Tim O’Brien, who also made his senior debut in round one, to Bushfield.

His final season at Warrnambool was injury-marred with a broken arm restricting him to the first six games in the under 16 side.

“I have no issues with it anymore,” he said.

“It’s as good as gold.

“We had a pretty big pre-season this year at North so it was good.

“Fitness was the main thing I had to work on.”

North Warrnambool Eagles play Port Fairy at Gardens Oval on Sunday.