by Davyd Reid
Bunyip endured a difficult initiation in its return to the Ellinbank District league, suffering a heavy 27-12 (174) to 4-7 (31) defeat at the hands of Trafalgar.
Danny Brewster and Isaac Caroleo each finished with six goals, while Kyle Beveridge booted five majors in an early percentage booster for the Bloods.
A six-goal to nil opening term was followed by 10 goals to two in the second quarter, the Bulldogs not finding any answers as the Bloods entered the half time break with the game in their keeping.
Bunyip came out to score two majors in the third term but it barely halted the momentum for Trafalgar, who put through 11 second half goals.
Aside from the dominant goal scorers, Dylan Farrell and Moe recruit Lachlan McGrath also were prominent.
Bunyip's better players were Jackson Smith, Ned Ashton, Riley Simpson, Ben Stewart, Eli Bracken and Matthew O'Halloran.
THE presence of former AFL ruck Braydon Preuss helped Yarragon to a comfortable victory over Poowong, 15-13 (103) to 8-5 (53).
With much speculation on where Preuss would line up heading into the contest, the former North Melbourne, Melbourne and GWS player bookended stints forward with a run in the middle.
Yarragon headed into the first change with a narrow five-point lead before Preuss helped the Panthers control the contest in the middle.
Eight goals to four across the second and third terms opened a handy 31-point buffer at the final change.
Battling some cramp, Preuss would finish the contest forward and end up with four majors as the Panthers scored four goals to two in the final term.
Dean Kelly, Bradley Morgan, Bradley Wadeson, Dylan Binzer and Brett Coghill also led the way for the visitor.
The Magpies were best served by Conor Cunningham, Alex Henshall, Zac Gray, Joel Norton, Joseph Bisognin and Matthew Cozzio.
Neerim-Neerim South proved too strong for Nilma-Darnum, winning 20-20 (140) to 5-9 (39).
Led by 10 goals between Lachlan Bambridge and Mason McGarrity, the Cats scored consistently to build a big lead over the four quarters.
William Papley, Kody Wilson, Ayden Ramm and Jack Erickson were prominent.
The Bombers better players were Ben Campbell, Nathan Campbell, Travis Dyke, Sage Tapner, Kade Rossborough and Liam Harman-Dorney.
CATANI overcame a slow start to take the points over Nyora, 12-16 (88) to 9-5 (59).
Early inaccuracy from the Blues opened an opportunity for the Saints, who entered the first change leading 5-1 to 1-6.
Four goals to one saw the Blues level the scores at the long break and they held firm, scoring seven goals to three to run away with it.
Julian Suarez, Adam Splatt, Joshua Stewart, Riley McLeod, Tyson Robinson and Riley Miller ensured Catani would start the season on a positive note.
Jesse Heylen, Callum McNiff, Dylan Heylen, Bradley Obrien, Tyler Hotchkin and Tyler Kirkbride were the dominant players for Nyora.