Five AFL retirees star in country footy return

The 2025 country football and netball seasons roared back into action this weekend with 30 leagues around the state getting into gear for the year.

This season sees two new clubs take the field with the newly merged Calder United Lions in the North Central FNL having a first up win by 151 points against Donald FNC. In the Riddell & District FNL, new standalone club, the Gisborne Giants, had a tougher initiation, going down by 110 points to Kyneton FNC.

Across the off-season there were also some clubs who changed leagues, with Melton South FNC going back to the Riddell & District FNL from the Bendigo FNL, Bunyip FNC returned to the Ellinbank & District FNL from the West Gippsland FNC and Dookie United FNC also headed to a former home in the Picola & District FNL after spending a period of time in the the Kyabram and District FNL. Unfortunately it wasn’t a happy homecoming for any of them, as all 3 clubs suffered losses on their return.

A new year also brings renewed optimism for all, and nothing sparks hope more than starting the year with a win and breaking a long losing streak. In the Hampden FNL, Portland FNC broke a 33-game losing streak with an impressive 53-point win over last year's finalist Koroit FNC. Up in the Tallangatta and District FNL, Wahgunyah FNC celebrated a win for the first time in 16 matches running out 57-point winners over Dederang Mt Beauty FNC while Clunes FNC (12), Corio FNC (10) and Newcomb FNC (10) all began the year on the right side of the ledger.

On the other hand it might be too early to make the ‘Premiership Hangover’ statement, however, nine Premiers from last season lost their opening round games over the weekend. One of the most significant of these was in the Ellinbank & District FNL where not only did the Ellinbank FNC reverse last season's grand final loss to Buln Buln FNC, they also ended the Lyrebirds' 28-game winning streak with their 10.6 66 to 8.9 57 victory. In the Gippsland FNL grand final rematch, former Essendon skipper Dyson Heppell kicked a goal on the way to helping his hometown club Leongatha FNC to a 17-point win over last year's premiers Traralgon FNC.

Port Melbourne's VFL bye allowed Heppell to return to his original club for which he was a strong contributor, named in the best players in the win.

He was able to play alongside brother Aaron, who previously spent time with Essendon's VFL side.

Other recently retired AFL players also made their mark for their new country clubs with ex-Port Adelaide big man Tom Clurey, putting in a best-on-ground performance to help Katamatite FNC to a 46-point opening round win against Tungamah FNC in the Picola and District FNL.

Former North Melbourne, Melbourne and GWS ruckman Braydon Preuss kicked 4 goals and was named in the best in Yarragon FNC’s 50-point win against Poowong FNC down in the Ellinbank & District FNL.

Ex-Saint and Bomber Nick Hind kicked 2 goals on his way to a best-on-ground performance for Darley FNC in the Ballarat FNL, but that wasn’t enough as his side went down to Melton FNC by 12 points.

While in the Hampden FNL, former Swan and premiership Cat Gary Rohan kicked 2 in Port Fairy FNC’s 50-point defeat at the hands of last season's runner-up North Warrnambool FNC.

In an encouraging start for the competitiveness of games this year, this weekend saw drawn matches in the Ballarat FNL, Loddon Valley FNL and North Gippsland FNL, while we also had 5 games decided by a solitary point across 5 different leagues. While it was a bit different in the Warrnambool & District FNL which saw Merrivale FNC kick 34.19 223 to run out 208 point winners against Panmure FNC.

The new year also saw the forwards start on a good note with 5 kicking bags of 10 or more goals, headlined by Ben Edwards kicking 13 for Birchip Watchem FNC in his team's 171-point win over Charlton FNC in the North Central FL. Last season saw former Fremantle forward Josh Mellington set a world record pace with 93 goals after 9 games before a serious injury curtailed his season. His return this week for Bears Lagoon Serpentine FNC in the Loddon Valley FNL saw him snag 8 goals so we will watch with interest as the year progresses to see if he can get onto a similar run to last season.

Images from Leongatha FNC and Port Fairy Seagulls on Facebook.

For all the latest in country footy, head to Country Footy Scores.