A grand final rematch highlighted week one of the Gippsland League while a fierce rivalry enjoyed another storied chapter.
Here's what you might have missed this week.
Traralgon vs Leongatha
It was a case of early season revenge for Leongatha as they claimed the chocolates against Traralgon in their grand final rematch.
While a round one win can hardly compare to the glory of a premiership, the Parrots will no doubt be happy to have ticked off their first challenge of season 2025, kicking the first four goals of the day en route to a 9.11 (65) to 7.6 (48) victory in Saturday's twilight fixture.
The return of hometown hero Dyson Heppell was a highlight for the green and gold as the former Essendon captain starred around the ground, joining his brother Aaron for the first time.
Heppell has committed to playing for the Parrots when he isn't required for his VFL side Port Melbourne.
Outside of that one-way onslaught early the rest of the match proved to be quite even, as expected between last year's top two teams.
The Maroons, left on the back foot early, did their earnest to work their way back into the contest, even drawing to within 10 points early in the last.
It was the expected names doing the damage too, as stars Luis D'Angelo and Tye Hourigan did everything to will their team forward. In the end the deficit was too much to overcome as Leongatha picked up an important first four points of the season.
It certainly wasn't the way the Maroons wanted to begin their premiership defence, though they'll take some solace out of their efforts past quarter time where they outscored the Parrots 7.4 to 5.8.
With another challenging fixture to come next week against Moe, a better start will be top of the agenda.
Kim Drew, Tom Marriott, former Warragul and Buln Buln player Patrick Ireland, Timothy Sauverin, Dyson Heppell and Hayden Lindsay were named Leongatha's best.
D'Angelo, Hourigan, Hugh Dunbar, Connor Ambler, Mitchell Mustoe and Thomas McMahon were Traralgon's top players.
Bairnsdale vs Moe
Moe have been left to count the injury cost of an at times uncomfortable 45-point win away over Bairnsdale.
New coach Leigh Poholke, star swingman Declan Keilty and important big man Nick Prowse all failed to play out the day as the Lions kicked away late to see off the plucky Redlegs 13.9 (87) to 6.6 (42) on a blustery day at Bairnsdale.
While they led for the entire day the visitors certainly didn't have it all their, however, with Bairnsdale nipping at their heels at every turn.
It wasn't until past three-quarter time where they led by just 14 points that the Lions were able to flip the switch, booting five unanswered goals to finally put the Redlegs to the sword. Leigh Poholke, despite his late injury, was at least able to exact maximum damage before heading off the field with five goals to lead all comers.
His brother and ex-AFL talent Myles was similarly effective through the middle, ably filling the Riley Baldi-shaped hole in that area.
Joining Myles as a former-AFL player making his debut for the club was ex-Magpie and Crow Ben Crocker, who kicked two goals.
Chris Prowse, Brock Smith, Thomas Blackshaw, Aaron Paxton and Harrison Pepper all played well for the Lions also.
New Bairnsdale coach Kane Ashwood would no doubt have been proud of his side's resolve up until the floodgates opened in the fourth quarter.
At times the Lions looked prime to run away with the game much earlier only to find themselves reeled back in by a steely Redlegs outfit.
Still, they come away having kicked just six goals and will have plenty to work on should they want to challenge for finals after the departure of star swingman Logan Austin.
Their best were Ethan East, Hugh Longbottom, Cooper Harvey, Oscar Pike, Lachlan Cloak and Joshua Lando.
Sale vs Maffra
There was no love lost in Sunday's Battle of the Birds as Maffra scored a great 10-point win to get their season off to a brilliant start.
Last year's wooden spooners were up for the fight – at times literally in a few scuffles – against their old enemy, booting six of the last seven goals to secure a famous victory 13.10 (88) to 10.18 (78).
Things were rather tense throughout the match as neither side could quite shake the other for most of the day.
The Eagles, sporting a young side as they continue to build, showed a similar level of pluck and dare that made them a dangerous proposition last year despite their standing.
Now one off-season later it's looking like they're even more of a threat.
When the Magpies had kicked the first goal of the last the margin was out to 19 and it was looking like game over. If that was the script, however, Maffra didn't read it.
The Eagles overran their bitter rivals from therein, using their fitness to their advantage to pour in goal after goal as an avalanche ensued.
Young star Noah Christy led from the front for Maffra, as did Jack McQuillen (four goals). Both players featured heavily in the club's under 18s side last year as the Eagles put faith in their future.
Lachlan Allman, Thomas Scott, Zach Felsbourg and Judd Burgiel rounded out their best. Sale will be ruing this one and will surely be reviewing how they would be so overwhelmed late in the day.
Shannen Lange gave it his all in a sterling performance but simply needed more help.
Will Leslie, Cooper Whitehill, Ashton Wright (playing against his former club), Lachie Ronchi and Kane Cutler were their better performers.