Sportscast Replay - CLICK HERE
For the NXP Match of the Day, the crew saw the Panthers win by four goals in a rain-affected contest over last year's runners-up in Aberfeldie at Raeburn Reserve.
The Two Blues' day didn't start well with player-coach Adam Marcon a late out due to a rolled ankle in the warm-up.
With no Nick Meese in the ruck, it would be a challenge against Panther's ruck Michael Sikora.
But early in the contest, Abers had the ascendancy early, taking a 10-point lead at quarter time with the help of newcomer Joshua Kemp who was damaging early.
From there, Panthers coach Digby Morrell settled his side down at quarter time and allowed his recruits to go to work.
The new forward line combination worked a treat on Saturday with Adam Del Busso, Mathew Waston and NXP Player of the Match Sunny Brazier all kicking three goals.
Sunny Brazier was excellent for the Panthers, with another new face in Josh Iacobaccio kicking one goal as Pascoe Vale held onto a famous Round 1 win which will surely give them momentum for their upcoming clash against Keilor.
While the Gorillas will take positives out of the contest with Josh Kemp kicking three goals and fellow newcomer Karl Brown working into the game and getting busy in the second half, with James Peters kicking four goals in an almost day for Abers.
Sportscast Replay - CLICK HERE
In the Battle of the River, Avondale Heights came from behind to snatch victory by two points over Maribyrnong Park, with Heights forward Cameron McLeod kicking the winner on the siren.
In a match that has delivered epic contests over the years, once again, both sides played like there was no tomorrow in the pouring rain at Canning Reserve.
Marby was in front all day, with recruit John Remouliotis up forward with homegrown boys in Mathew Gaul and Daniel Oliver having a hand in what was looking like a Marby victory.
But Heights ruck 'The Truck' Tom Russell, Jackson Robb, Anthony Bonaguro, and recruit Matt Darby had other ideas.
Going into the final quarter, the Lions were in front by 12 points, but the Heights kicked two crucial goals, including the siren winner to start 2023 with a win.
Heights forward Matt Darby kicked six goals, while Marby's Lucas Edmonds kicked three in the Round 1 loss.
Sportscast Replay - CLICK HERE
St Albans and Deer Park couldn't ask for a better start in 2023, with both sides winning on Saturday.
The Saints had a dominant win over Glenroy, winning by 92 points at Kings Park.
Saints forward Ajdin Elkasovic bagged five goals, with Victor Micallef named in the best and kicked two goals on debut for the Saints.
For Glenroy, Jake Young tried hard all day by kicking two goals and playing a well-rounded game in what was a forgettable day for new coach Dean Young.
While at Westmeadows, Deer Park kicked away to win by 75 points in a tighter contest than anticipated until the final change, with the Lions leading by 26 points.
The Lions went on to kick sevens goals unanswered in the last quarter to make it a percentage-boosting win.
Luke Goater kicked three goals for the Lions, while homegrown boy Kane Testa kicked three, with Tom Mundy kicking two goals in their first win in the EDFL.
For Westy, it was encouraging signs for a competitive young group throughout the match. Finbar Delbridge had an excellent game with fellow newcomer Ethan Councillor kicking two goals in the loss.
Sportscast Replay - CLICK HERE
Sportscast Replay - CLICK HERE
The Devils coming off a tough Good Friday loss came into Saturday as the underdogs, but delivered a crucial victory over Craigieburn at home.
In a hard slog at Keilor Park Reserve with only 12 goals kicked in the entire match, the Devils were able to hold onto a 10-point win.
Oscar Sasalu kicked two goals and was named in the best, with the Devils younger players in Tristain Borg and Pearce Wilkinson having a big impact in the win through the half back and midfield positions.
For the Eagles, behinds were the killer of the day, kicking five goals and 11 behinds, with marquee forward Jake Carlisle kicking two majors in what was a tough day for goals and the Eagles.
Sportscast Replay - CLICK HERE
In what was a wet day across the EDFL, it was surprising when reading the post-match scores that a shootout occurred between East Sunbury and Northern Saints.
But that was the case with Northern Saints holding on to win 122 to 102 over the Thunder at Charles Mutton Reserve.
The Saints channelled their inner Adelaide Crows from Thursday night with a hot start leading by 30 points at quarter time.
But inaccurate kicking by the Saint,s and the Thunder kicking seven goals in the second quarter, brought back the margin to seven points at the half.
The Saints increased their accuracy by kicking six goals to three in the third and holding onto the win.
Northern Saints forward Khodr Taleb started his 2023 off right with eight goals in the win, with Nick Bruno kicking three goals, and Anthony Ricupero having a significant impact in the midfield.
Aaron Kite's men should be proud of their efforts in the final term where they kicked five goals, with Kite kicking four goals in the match and Mitch Church kicking three in their return to EDFL footy.
Sportscast Replay - CLICK HERE
The Bears halted the Sunbury Kangaroos comeback in the final term to win by three points.
In a see-sawing contest where the lead changed hands three times, the Bears led at three-quarter time by 23 points in what was a crucial quarter for Cole Harvey's men, kicking six goals to one in the term.
But the Kangaroos had the scoring end in the final term and kicked four unanswered goals to peg the margin back to three points, before the Bears held on for victory.
Bears forward Matt Romeo kicked three goals in the win and was named in the best, with Liam Mercieca kicking two goals. Antonio Vitalone proved his worth being named the best.
While for the Kangaroos, Mitch Kook, Zac Ploog, and Rhys Magin all kicked two goals, with Mitch Streiff named in the best in the tight loss.
A strong mores outfit greeted Maribyrnong Park in a tight contest at Boeing Reserve in wet conditions.
Scores were level at halftime, but the Lions' two goals in the third term were enough to get the win over the talented Mores.
Lions player India Barker was crucial in the win with two goals, with Zhoe Drust kicking a goal and being named in the best, while for the Mores, Maeve Langston kicked two goals in the tight affair.
Down the road at JP Fawkner, Oak Park played off against Aberfeldie in a low-scoring affair where the Two Blues held on to victory by two points.
With six goals kicked for the entire day, goals were hard to come by, but Abers forward Erica Markesich bagged two goals in the victory.
For Oak Park, Alex Quigley impressed again with kicking two goals, but it wasn't enough.
