The 39-year-old tallied 72 runs off 107 deliveries in his first game back in the Ballarat Cricket Association A-grade competition.

The dual EJ Cleary Medal winner has only played sparingly in recent years, with his last first grade match in season 2017-18.

His team-high total provided the backbone for victory in his side's win over Brown Hill on Saturday.

"It was good, I haven't played for a while so it was good to get out there and see the ball," he said.

"I took my time to get into it, it's a beautiful ground and it was great to hit a few."

Goonan led the run-chase from the opening over after his side dismissed Brown Hill for 179 in the first innings.

He said he felt good as soon as he put bat to ball.

"I had a good pre-season, and when I hit that first ball it felt good and everything just flowed in from that and I was able to build into the innings," he said.

"We weren't chasing a massive target so it was good to be able to ease into it."

Goonan said family and work commitments had kept him sidelined in recent years, but he was eager to get back to the crease for 2020.

He was the confident the break had served him well.

"I'm a bit more relaxed than what I was where it used to mean everything," he said.

"I still want to win, but with a family there are bigger priorities now, so it's good to go out with a bit more of a relaxed attitude."