‘Opening Round’ in the ‘burbs? Eastern league’s early start revealed

The wait is almost over for local footy fans of one of Melbourne’s strongest leagues, with a last-minute fixture change gifting an earlier-than-usual start to the season.

The Eastern league will now kick off on March 29 with Silvan and Coldstream’s match moved. Picture: Hamish Blair

The wait is almost over for local footy fans in Melbourne’s outer east, with a last-minute fixture change gifting an earlier-than-usual start to the season.

The Eastern league will kick off a week early on March 29, with the Division 3 match between Silvan and Coldstream moved from the King’s Birthday long weekend, which was slated for June 7.

Round 1 across four of the league’s five senior men’s divisions remains scheduled for Saturday, April 5, with the top division launching on April 12.

Silvan president Charlie Caputo said the two clubs approached the league in hope of a fixture reshuffle, owing to player unavailability across the June long weekend and the prospect of playing four months without a break.

“If we didn’t play a week earlier, we’d actually play 16 games straight which is a bit tough,” Caputo said.

“Coldstream approached us about it and we thought it was a good idea to see if we’d be allowed to do it, and thanks to the council and the league, they’ve approved us to play a week early.

“It really also stems around that there are going to be guys away (on King’s Birthday weekend) from both clubs from what we’re hearing.

“We’re comfortable with that and happy to go ahead.”

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

The clash will remain at Silvan Recreation Reserve and shapes as the only local footy fixture for premiership points across Melbourne’s metropolitan leagues that weekend.

“We took a lot of that into account, and we’ve got a healthy rivalry with those guys (Coldstream) … they put a fair bit of work into speaking to the council about it all,” Caputo said.

“There was never going to be a clash with a cricket final, so it just seemed like an easy enough idea.

“We’re going to get the benefit – come King’s Birthday we can sit back and have a week off.

“It’s not just about the players, it’s about the volunteers just looking for a break halfway through the year.”

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