The Minyip-Murtoa stalwart celebrated her first game back from injury with a 24-goal opening round win against the reigning premiers, Horsham Saints.

Elder missed the entirety of last season after blowing out her Achilles tendon in the final regular season game of 2017.

"It was so great to be involved. It's different sitting on the sidelines not playing because you don't feel so much a part of the club, But getting back out there was great, and I'm enjoying every minute of it," she said.

"I said it to so many people after playing the other weekend, but I think it was one of the most fun games I've ever played in.

"We've got such a good group of girls, we were laughing, and I don't think I stopped smiling."

Elder was a stand-out on the court for the new look Burras side and was named her team's best in the 52-28 win.

READ MORE: Minyip-Murtoa defeat reigning premiers in first round.

It was a rewarding return to action after a tough rehabilitation period.

"It was actually an injury that you need to get over mentally as well," Elder said.

"It's slow so you can't really force it. It's much quicker to break a leg and come back from that, then spend 5 or 6 months to kick your Achilles back up and get it back working again.

"You spend at least three months in a moon boot and then it's probably another two to three months after that before you're starting to run again. Then again it's another two to three months before you're doing any sort of agility stuff."

Minyip-Murtoa entered the season an unknown quantity with Billie Bibby stepping up as coach and the arrival of several promising players from the Horsham District league. But, it is that potential that had Elder optimistic about the season ahead.

"I think people would have looked at us as a squad after Paula Wiedermann and Stef Cooper, our two tall timbers, left and probably written us off," she said.

"I think with the new recruits we've got a really exciting squad and while we might not be the tallest out there, we're definitely going to make up for it with leg speed.

"It'll be really interesting to see how the season pans out."

Minyip-Murtoa travels to Dimboola in the second round of the Wimmera netball league this weekend.

Both sides enter the contest confident after dominant performances in their last outings.

Warrack Eagles are looking for a first win when they host the Southern Mallee Giants.

Ararat makes the trip to Nhill undefeated after a comfortable win against Stawell on Good Friday.

Stawell has the bye.

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