EFNL 2025: ‘Hot footy’ set to light up suburban ‘Opening Round’ in Eastern league

The clubs had contrasting fortunes in 2024 – but the Coldstream coach is expecting a tough season-opener with Silvan on Saturday as the pair stage Melbourne’s only match for premiership points.

Coldstream's Darcy Fritsch kicked 100 goals last year. Picture: Davis Harrigan

The stage is set.

Coldstream will open the local footy season on Saturday with neighbouring rival Silvan in the Eastern league’s Division 3, in what some have billed as ‘Opening Round’ in the ‘burbs.

The league recently revealed the late fixture change after the pair’s wish to move the match from the King’s Birthday weekend to kick off the season seven days earlier.

The Cougars will travel to Silvan Recreation Reserve for the marquee clash which shapes as the only local footy match in Melbourne for premiership points this weekend.

Incoming Coldstream coach Matt Johnson said the duo enjoyed a healthy rivalry – and a tight match was expected despite the contrasting fortunes of both clubs in 2024, with the Cougars contesting finals.

The clubs will play for the Brett Hartman Cup on Saturday.

“It’s something we always look forward to, whether it’s at home or away,” Johnson said.

“No matter where both of us are on the ladder, it’s always a hot footy. Even last year when we played them up there (in Round 9), we only got them in the last 30 seconds of the game. That’s what we think we’re going to get – we don’t expect anything else.

“We love the way they go about it on the field and we respect them off the field as well.”

Johnson, who took on the Coldstream senior job in September after four seasons as an assistant, said tweaks to game plan and structures had been made this off-season – with a younger, pacier Cougars outfit expected this year.

“We’ll be a lot younger than we have been over previous years – we’ve put a lot of time and effort into our youth and their development, we’re trying to get them to take control of the future of our club, so I’m looking to inject some youth, enthusiasm and a bit of pace around the footy,” he said.

Coveted forward Darcy Fritsch is fresh off a 100-goal season, reaching the milestone in the club’s semi-final loss to Knox.

The coach believes he’s set for another big campaign.

“‘Fritta’ has dropped a few kgs this year and he’s been getting into his marathons and triathlons, so he’ll be a lot fitter this year getting up the ground a bit more and that’ll give us another (scoring) avenue,” Johnson said.

“Obviously it’ll be handy for find a few more goals this season.

“Young Bailey Grant is another who plays up forward – he’s ready to take the next step.

“He’s in the same sort of mould as ‘Fritta’ … he’s one to look out for.”

Johnson hoped his club’s emphasis on fitness would set it up for the business end of the season, as it looks to better a semi-final berth.

“Four months has actually gone pretty quick, we’re only building the foundations now and hopefully towards the back end of the season it all comes to fruition.”

EFNL Division 3: Silvan vs. Coldstream – Saturday, March 29 at Silvan Rec. Reserve, 2.20pm.