All the key talking points from Good Friday’s local footy

A host of ex-AFL names produced stunning performances as local footy returned on Good Friday while the best players and teams from across the state made their mark. Here’s what you need to know.

Corey Ellis in action for Keilor. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Local footy’s return turned Good Friday into a Great Friday across Victoria.

There were streaks ended and extended while big name recruits made their mark for their new teams.

Here’s everything you need to know.

KEILOR’S STREAK GOES ON

Mick McGuane’s Keilor picked up where they left off last season with yet another win. The Blues made it 21 straight in a grand final rematch with Strathmore powering away to a 19.13 (127) to 12.6 (78) victory at Joe Brown Oval. Christos Kosman enjoyed a Great Friday with six goals in a best on ground performance with ex-AFL duo Nick O’Kearney and Corey Ellis among the best. Cody Brand, Josh Honey, Shaun McKernan and Trent Dumont, who all played at the top level, made their debuts senior debuts between the two sides.

HYDE’S PERFECT START

Greensborough promising run and gun and it delivered on Good Friday. The Borough run through, over and around Eltham at War Memorial Reserve to secure a 49-point win point in Matt Hyde’s coaching debut. It could have been far more too if not for an inaccurate 15.19 (109) to 9.6 (60). Harry Andronaco was superb in the first half before the likes of Ethan Luke, Zak McCubbin, Charlie Bowes and Ben Pannam took control.

HARTLEY, CASTLEMAINE ON THE BOARD

After a tight tussle in the opening half, the Michael Hartley coached Castlemaine eventually pulled away to record a 69-point win over Maryborough in the Bendigo league. Bailey Henderson and Hartley kicked five apiece, Zach Greeves added four, as the Blues had a big win. It was the perfect start to life for the perennial battlers.

CHELSEA LAY DOWN A MARKER

Chelsea proved it deserves to be in the MPFNL Division 2 premiership conversation with an impressive 16.20 (116) to 14.11 (95) win over Edithvale-Aspendale to start the season. In a tight contest all day, Chelsea booted 6.4 to 5.2 in a high scoring final term. John Simson booted three in a best on ground performance while Jack Wallace also chipped in with three. Jacob Spasevski and Zane Carter also caught the eye. Ty Vickery kicked three on debut for Edi-Asp with coach Kris Pendlebury making a strong impression in the loss.

ROVERS SPRING A SURPRISE

Many tipped Wangaratta Magpies to account for rivals Wangaratta Rovers in the derby on Good Friday but the latter had other ideas. Led by Will Christie and debutant Kieren Parnell, Rovers held on for their first win on Magpies’ territory since 2012 by 12 points. Headline recruit and former Carlton player Lochie O’Brien made his debut as did several other players including Sam Cattapan and Xavier Allison formerly of Aberfeldie. Wodonga Raiders beat Lavington in the day’s other game by six points as Tom Bracher booted six.

PERFECT START FOR MPFNL PREMIERS

Dromana was slow out of the blocks in its MPFNL opener against Red Hill, conceding the first four goals, but after quarter-time, the Tigers were in complete control. From there they kicked 13 goals to four to run out 35-point winners. Jack Slattery, Nicholas Collier, Billy Geurts, Josh Geurts and Dean Waugh all impressed as Jordan Andrews and Ben Tovey booted three each.

NEW NAMES BITE FOR HILLSIDE

Chris Daley’s tenure at EDFL club Hillside is off to the perfect start after a 80-point win over Keilor Park in Division 1. New recruits Fort Caruso (two goals), Robbie Castello (two) and Nat Caruso (one) all found their way onto the scoreboard with Sharks co-captain Zak Wunhym named the best player on the ground. In the division’s other game, Craigieburn prevailed by 41 points over Roxburgh Park.

HAMPDEN COACH UNIMPRESSED

South Warrnambool escaped with a 13-point win over Koroit in the Hampden League after coming from behind at three-quarter-time in a fiery contest. Sam Kelly and skipper Shannon Beks kicked five between them for the premiers. South coach Mat Battistello vented his frustrations to the local paper about the contest. “Probably disappointed in some ways about how the opposition went about it,” he told the Warrnambool Standard. His comments came after a knock to Sam Thompson.

A WINNING START FOR KYNETON

Kyneton has officially arrived in the Riddell District league. The Tigers got off to a perfect start in their new competition with a 53-point win over Woodend Hesket. Caleb Fisher was named the best player on the ground while Ryan Pretty kicked five goals.

Portarlington celebrate. Picture: Mark Wilson

PORTARLINGTON BREAKS ITS DROUGHT

For the first time in 69 attempts, Portarlington has a win next to its name. The Demons recorded a stunning 31-point triumph over Newcomb, led by former AFL players and new arrivals Jaryd Cachia, Teia Miles and Connor Menadue who brought a new layer of class to the perennial struggler.

WIMMERA OPENER A THRILLER

Stawell Warriors laid down its premiership ambitions with an impressive 14-point win over defending premier Ararat to start the new Wimmera league season. Cody Driscoll booted four in his return to the Warriors while Thomas Eckel, Josh Fowkes and James Sullivan all impressed.

BRAYBROOK KICKS OFF NEW WFNL ERA

In the first game since the Western Football Netball League was renamed, Braybrook proved far too good for Laverton, winning by 77 points. Brad Busuttil marked his return to the red and black with six majors while off-season recruit Justin Condo, formerly of Greenvale, booted two to be named among the better players.

REVENGE FOR THE ROAD

Congupna was able to get a small piece of revenge for last year’s grand final defeat to Mulwala with a 58-point win to kickstart the season at Lonsdale Oval. Ex-Kyabram star Kyle Mueller kicked six goals on debut to underline why he will be so important for the Road. He outshone ex-AFL midfielder Dayne Beams who debuted for Mulwala.