Local footy returned with a bang on the weekend, here are the major talking points

Local footy kicked off in earnest on Saturday with plenty of big news from around the suburban grounds. Check out the major talking points here.

Brian Lake coaches Caroline Springs. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Local footy kicked off in earnest on Saturday.

It delivered a long list of major talking points, from serious injuries to miracle wins.

Check out some of the main issues for the day.

Robbie Gray salutes the crowd after his final game for Port Adelaide.

NORWOOD SMASHES GRAY, DONCASTER

It was a dirty day for Port Adelaide great Robbie Gray in his Eastern league debut for Doncaster. The Sharks were belted by 70 points by Premier Division rival Norwood at Schramms Reserve. Gray kicked one goal, while Kyle Viccars kicked five. For Norwood, Rhett Jordon booted six and Matt Griechen was best afield in the 17.16 (118) to 7.6 (48) hiding.

NOBLE PARK’S SENSATIONAL COMEBACK

A Jackson Sketcher-inspired Noble Park overturned a 29-point three-quarter-time deficit to defeat Rowville in a heart-stopping EFNL Premier Division grand final rematch. The former ‘The Recruit’ star finished with four goals on the day – including 3.3 in the final term – as the Bulls piled on 8.4 to a single behind to storm home and claim a 13.10 (88) to 9.10 (64) victory.

LONIE RUNS RAMPANT

Former St Kilda forward Jack Lonie continue his red-hot start to the Mornington Peninsula Division 2 season, leading Seaford to a 57-point win over Tyabb. Lonie capped a best-on-ground display with five goals in the 14.14 (98) to 5.11 (41) victory.

Jack Lonie has been on fire for Seaford. Picture: Michael Klein

BUDS BLOOM LATE

A rampaging final quarter fired Rosebud to a 12-point triumph over Red Hill in Mornington Peninsula Division 1. Trailing by 14 points at the last change, the Buds piled on six goals to two in the final term to take a 9.7 (61) to 7.7 (49). Rosebud forward Robert Bos booted four goals, while recruits Jake Carosella and Luca Bellinvia were influential to get new coach Danny Ades his first win

CADDY’S COACHING DEBUT WIN

Two-time Richmond premiership star Josh Caddy has enjoying a winning start to his coaching career as Port Melbourne Colts snatching a thrilling four-point win over St Kilda City in Southern Division 1. Colts teammate and former AFL Cat and Blue Billie Smedts impressed, coming back from a nasty head gash, in the 14.11 (95) to 13.13 (91) victory. Ex-Tiger and Kangaroo Aaron Edwards booted three goals for the Saints.

PATTO’S WINNING START

Former Australia Test paceman James Pattinson kicked a goal as Doveton had a big win over East Malvern. The Doves’ took a 52-point win at Dunlop Reserve in Pattinson’s local footy debut as teammate Max Sheppard starred with a best afield performance, while Cameron Williamson booted four goals.

VAFA PREMIERS TO GO TOE-TO-TOE

Promoted VAFA Premier B champion Old Hailebury faced arguably the biggest challenge in local footy in its season-opener, Premier A kings St Kevin’s. Former Western Bulldogs vice-captain Mitch Wallis kicked a goal as SKOBs prevailed by a point in a classic start to the season, 7.12 (54) to 7.11 (53).

Harry Wardlaw starred for St Kevin’s against Old Haileybury. Picture: Valeriu Campan

WINNING START FOR VAFA’S NEWEST CLUB

Old Yarra Cobras’ newest chapter is off to the perfect start. The Cobras got the better of Aquinas in Division 2 of the VAFA by 70 points. The club is a merger between Old Yarra Grammarians and Manningham Cobras. Anthony Cook was best-on-ground for the newly formed club, while Kyle Margaritis booted five goals in a starring performance.

McKERNAN UNLEASHES FOR BULLS

Gun recruit Shaun McKernan has already paid Bundoora back with a sensational performance in a thrilling eight-point win over Banyule in Northern Division 1. McKernan booted six goals in the 13.5 (83) to 10.15 (75) triumph. Collingwood VFL-listed Viv Blackmore-Moore was Banyule’s best in defeat with the Bears sure to be ruing inaccuracy in front of goal.

BOOMER HURT

It was devastating to see on of Australian football’s best taken from the first in obvious pain. Brent Harvey suffered a broken leg in the first quarter of North Heidelberg’s clash against Heidelberg at Shelley Reserve. The Bulldogs channelled a bit of Shinboner spirit with a final-quarter comeback but fell to a one-point defeat as the Tigers won their 17th straight game.

KINGLAKE’S WINNING RETURN

Back in the Northern league for the first time since 2007, Kinglake picked up a win over Reservoir. The Lakers did it in style too, taking advantage of the Division 3 strugglers to record a thumping 151-point win. Leigh Gilbert kicked six in the 28.13 (181) to 3.12 (30) romp.

YOU WANT SOME MORES?

Strathmore put EDFL Premier Division rival Essendon Doutta Stars to the sword at Lebanon Reserve in a 134-point flogging. The Mores had 13 individual goalkickers, led by four to Athan Tsialtis and Tom Condon, as they piled on 25.17 (167) to 5.3 (33). Cooper Keogh was best-on.

Scott Greenhough in action for Deer Park. Picture: Local Legends Photography

DEER PARK, ST ALBANS START PERFECT

They’re the new boys of the EDFL and they’re both off to perfect starts in Division 1. Deer Park was far too good for Westmeadows, prevailing by 75 points. Big man Scott Greenhough was named best afield as Kane Testa and Luke Goater kicked three each. Meanwhile, St Albans stamped its authority on the competition with a 92-point winner over Glenroy. Ajdin Elkasovic Impressed with five goals.

YOUNG GUN’S DAY OUT

Olivia Manfre is one of the rising stars of the EDFL and she put on a show for Keilor on Saturday. The Essendon VFLW-listed forward booted five goals in her side’s Premier Division win over Hillside.

THE FIRST OF MANY POINT COOK CLASSICS

Point Cook prevailed by four points against local rivals Point Cook Centrals by four points in a WRFL Division 1 classic. In a see-sawing contest, the Bulldogs hit the front late and were able to hold on in a thriller. Former Western Bulldogs and Geelong midfielder Luke Dahlhaus was named best afield for the Bulldogs as Max Rouvray kicked four goals. Ezzat Haddara was best for the Sharks.

SPRINGS WIN IN LAKE DEBUT

Three-time AFL premiership star Brian Lake got off to a winning start in his first game as a senior coach as Caroline Springs topped Hoppers Crossing by 17 points at Hogans Road Oval. Billy Crofts earned best-on-ground honours for the Lakers, who kicked away in the final quarter to win 11.16 (82) to 10.5 (65). It was a dramatic improvement for Hoopers following their Good Friday loss.

NULLAWIL ANNOUNCES IT’S ARRIVAL

Nullawail has announced its arrival in the North Central league with a 41-point win over Birchip-Watchem. It led at every break to secure a memorable debut in the competition. Dean Putt, Jordan Humphreys, Dean Smith, Zachary Caccaviello, Mitch Farmer and Matt Quigley were named in the best.