The region's finest football exports dusted off the cobwebs, as AFL clubs kicked off their pre-season campaigns at the weekend.
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The return to action held a greater sentimental value to a couple of players, who took to the field after lengthy injury lay-offs.
Ararat's Tom Williamson lined up for Carlton in its practice match against Collingwood on Thursday and impressed in the backline, going on to be named among the Blues' best.
The 21-year-old has only played two AFL games in the past two seasons, after battling a reoccurring L5 vertebrae stress fracture.
Williamson even made the most of a rare venture forward, slotting a shot on goal after receiving a 50m penalty.
Carlton's backline coach Dale Amos praised Williamson's work on the track.
"He's built up his pre-season really nicely. His program has been really solid and culminated in being able to play today," he told Carlton media.
"He'll continue to build over the next few weeks. Certainly, on the back of today, he puts himself in calculation for Round 1 which is good."
Carlton plays its first Marsh Community Series game away to Fremantle on Saturday night.
It was a welcome return for Edenhope-Apsley product Tom McDonald too, kicking three goals in Melbourne's 33-point win against Adelaide
McDonald missed the final seven rounds of the 2019 season with a meniscus tear.
Younger brother Oscar McDonald was given limited minutes in the Dees' backline.
Horsham export Seb Ross claimed 20 disposals in his limited minutes as St Kilda beat Hawthorn by 21 points.