Two matches were played in the opening round, with premiers Wedderburn getting the points over a much improved Boort side.

Wedderburn got away to a good start with Nathan Holt snapping a great goal for the Redbacks.

New recruit Cam Milward answered for the Boort side, and the rest of the term was fairly even with Wedderburn going on to hold a slender five-point lead at the first change.

At the three-quarter-time break Wedderburn had increased their lead out to 19 points, but Boort was well within reach of taking out this contest.

In the final quarter the Redbacks broke the shackles to add a further six goals to their first three quarters' tally and kept the Boort Magpies to just the two goals.

Final score was Wedderburn 20.15 (135) defeated Boort 13.16 (94).

At St Arnaud's Lord Nelson Park, the Saints put up a good show in front of a large crowd to run our comfortable winners over the Royal Blues from Donald.

In the first term both sides matched motors for the majority of the quarter, but the Saints got the vital break late in the quarter for a 17-point lead at the first break.

After the main break the Saints took control and added a further five majors to extend their lead before the Royal Blues rallied to reduce the margin back to 53 points at the final break.

The last quarter turned out to be the most even quarter for the game, with both sides reaping the rewards of their midfields' excellent play.

Final score was St Arnaud 22.22 (154) defeated Donald 15.4 (94).