Eltham showcases its class in searing heat in NFL season opener

In temperatures exceeding 30 degrees, Eltham showcased its premiership credentials as the NFL Division 2 returned after a 566-day hiatus on Good Friday.

Mikael Avramov in actin for Eltham. Picture: Hamish Blair

It had been 566 days since the 2019 Northern Football League Division 2 grand final and local footy returned with a bang on Good Friday.

In searing hot conditions, Eltham and St Mary’s kicked off the NFL season with an enthralling end-to-end contest in front of a raucous crowd at Central Park.

The Panthers, pre-season premiership favourites, claimed a comfortable 46-point win but the scoreboard didn’t reflect the game with the Burras far from disgraced in defeat.

Aside from horrid inaccuracy in front of goal, you would never have known it had been 18 months between drinks for both teams.

The game was played at a frantic pace with some impressive skills on display given it was Round 1 and played in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees.

Dare I say it ... good day for footy.

Eltham Central Park looking a treat with a big crowd to welcome footy back to the suburbs. @localfootypic.twitter.com/Rk4bePTPmc

— Ben Higgins (@ben_higgins84) April 2, 2021

The new man of the mark rule opened up the middle of the ground and allowed Eltham key forward Michael Still to ran rampant in the first half while St Mary’s fleet of runners exploited the space as the game went on.

After a tight opening with both sides wasting multiple chances, Eltham kicked 11 goals to three across the second and third quarters to set up the win.

Three late Burras goals closed the gap to 17.20 (122) to 10.16 (76) at the final siren.

Still, Brent Macaffer, Alex Bellchambers and new recruit Marc O’Regan all booted three goals in the win, while Tom Cantwell, Jackson Weatherald, Tim Currie and Macaffer impressed.

Panthers coach Rob Hyde praised the Burras and said there was plenty for his team to build on.

“We did a power of work in the first three quarters, we could have kicked a little straighter, and we just ran out of cattle in the end – I’ve never seen so many blokes cramp,” he said.

“Early on I thought out ball movement through the middle and hitting up leads, especially for the first game and 30 degrees, there were some really pleasing signs.”

“That was Brent Macaffer’s first game – he didn’t play a practice match – so he’ll only get better. There’s lots of improvement, the base is really strong.

Local footy is back. @northernfnlpic.twitter.com/poIRfhwbNt

— Jordan Kounelis (@JordanKounelis) April 2, 2021

“Early on we worked really hard but to their credit they kept running and the way they finished would be really good for Fab and the boys.”

St Mary’s co-captains Nick Gedge and Myles Guldon kicked three and two goals respectively, while speedy midfielder Chris Petroro and youngster Tane Cotter were standouts.

The Burras are missing several key players due to injury, while Nick Dean, Jacob Yeomans and Rory Hanlon saw their first minutes after missing the entire pre-season with injuries.

It was a brutal start to the season for the club with a clash against Eltham and extreme heat but there were several positives for St Mary’s coach Fabian Carelli.

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The Burras conversion rate was astronomical in the first term, staying in touch with Eltham in the first quarter with three goals from as many inside 50s.

However, 0.7 in the second term killed off any hopes of an upset.

With the heat taking a toll in the first quarter it was St Mary’s that finished the stronger, kicking the final three goals of the match and 4.5 for the quarter to Eltham’s 2.3.

Both teams will play two matches in an extended Round 1 with Eltham travelling to fellow Good Friday winners Thomastown while St Mary’s hosts Watsonia.