The only thing those involved in footy wanted in 2021 was for footy to return at the local level.
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This they were given, in addition they bore witness to some cracking games that had it all.
Comebacks, drought breakers and heart stoppers.
The Courier ranks the top six games to date in the Central Highlands Football League.
Round 4 - Rokewood-Corindhap 11.10 (76) def Waubra 10.13 (73)
Entering the game, Rokewood-Corindhap had never beaten Waubra since joining the league in 2011.
If it was to announce itself as a legitimate contender after starting 3-0, it needed to win this game.
Three quarters in, it was looking like a missed opportunity for the Hoppers, trailing by 25 points.
The fourth quarter was a new game, as they took advantage of Waubra's dwindling bench to kick 6.3 to 1.5 and snatch a three-point win.
"We had people coming up after the game shaking our hands and the old guys with tears in their eyes," co-coach Brad Macgowan said.
The Hoppers now have five wins and look destined for an inaugural finals campaign in the CHFL.
Round 6 - Dunnstown 9.14 (68) def Buninyong 10.3 (63)
Like some of the games in this list, this contest involves a team overcoming a significant hoodoo.
Dunnstown hadn't beaten Buninyong since 2010, losing 10 straight games to the Bombers.
It remained in the hunt all day, trailing by five, one and four points at the quarter, half and three-quarter time breaks respectively.
A 2.3 to 1.0 last quarter lifted the Towners over the top for a drought-breaking victory, answering every call Buninyong threw at them throughout the game.
"That was probably the most pleasing thing, the fact that we didn't have the momentum and then we managed to get it back," coach Glenn Wilkins said.
Round 6 - Learmonth 9.9 (63) def Daylesford 8.13 (61)
Losers of two games by under a goal in the first five weeks, Learmonth entered its round six clash with Daylesford desperate for a win against a team around it on the ladder.
The Lakies went into the game with the third best percentage in the league, highlighting their ability to be competitive in every game, despite some early season losses.
It was a back-and-forth affair, Learmonth leading by 14 points at quarter-time, Daylesford by four points at half-time and the Lakies in front by 11 points at the final change.
The Dogs gave it everything to follow the trend of the game but fell short, Learmonth prevailing 9.9 (63) to 8.13 (61).
The victory lifted the Lakies into seventh and kept Daylesford outside the eight.
Round 1 - Buninyong 8.4 (52) def Bungaree 7.9 (51)
What a way to open the season. The biggest margin at any break was 11 points, Buninyong leading at quarter-time 19-8.
Bungaree evened the game by the main break and held a 10-point lead at three-quarter time after kicking four goals to one in the middle two quarters.
Buninyong wouldn't be denied, however, kicking 4.2 to 2.3 to snatch a one-point win.
The Bombers doubled their score in the final quarter after going scoreless in the third term, breaking Demons' hearts.
Round 1 - Rokewood-Corindhap 11.10 (76) def Learmonth 11.8 (74)
Rokewood-Corindhap and Learmonth produced an opening round thriller.
Two points was the biggest margin at any change, both sides trading blows throughout the contest.
It was a sign of things to come for Learmonth, who endured another two games decided by under a goal before the stoppage of play.
It kick-started the Hoppers' season. They started the year 4-0 and beat Waubra for the first time since joining the league.
They now sit 5-1 and third on the ladder.
Round 4 - Springbank 8.12 (60) def Dunnstown 7.16 (58)
Entering this game Springbank were 0-3, injury ravaged and desperate for some luck to fall its way.
It finally saw all its pieces mesh, despite some big names missing, leading slightly at every change and holding on for its first win of the season.
"It was just very neck and neck all day and we were lucky enough to just get over the line," coach Joe Otto said.
Now that we know Dunnstown's seriousness as a contender, the win is even more impressive by the Tigers.
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