AFL premiership players James Kelly and Dale Thomas made their long awaited Central Highlands Football League debuts at the weekend, experiencing mixed results.
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Kelly slotted in beautifully down back for the top of the table Eagles, his side running away 21.14 (140) to 6.3 (39) winners over the now 1-2 Newlyn.
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Thomas kicked a goal for the Blues, however, they were no match for Daylesford, 11.13 (79) to 5.6 (36) losers on the day.
Kelly told The Courier it was a great first experience in Eagles' colours.
"It was great, really good fun, great fellas, really good environment.
"Everyone grows up at clubs like this playing footy, so it's good to come back and have a run."
Gordon co-coach Ron Watt, a Geelong VFL premiership coach in 2002, a team that a first year Kelly played in, said having someone of his calibre really helped the group.
"Very impressive. Brought a lot of experience obviously but a lot of fun and knowledge to the guys, even just with training during the week and then things we were talking about game day," he said.
"Very lucky to have him."
Former Geelong teammate Shannon Byrnes looms as a big inclusion in round five with Melbourne playing on the Sunday afternoon.
It will be the first time Kelly and Byrnes will don the Eagles jumper together.
Down the highway, former Collingwood and Carlton star Dale Thomas donned the navy blue once again, this time for Ballan.
His goal was a highlight in what was a great day and night for the club, coach Tristan Batten said.
"It was a good grab, he took a mark in between a few Daylesford players then went back and slotted it," he said.
"It was good, he hung around for the function and everything afterwards as well, so he had a big day at the club. It was good for everyone, heaps of photos, heaps of autographs.
"There was a buzz around the club which was good, got a decent crowd in."
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