The local footy got under way last weekend with plenty of interesting results across the leagues; FC Bendigo played its first home game at the Tom Flood Sports Centre; we've had the always fierce Bendigo-Ballarat basketball clashes; Essendon belted Carlton; and your Collingwood lost to Geelong.

That's all well and good, but for us wrestling fans - I'm not ashamed to admit it - it has been a very sad week.

The name The Ultimate Warrior may not mean much to you, but he was an icon of the wrestling business and one of those legendary characters I grew up with in the 80s.

How could you not have been captivated by The Ultimate Warrior's face paint, the tassles that hung off his bulging arms, the iconic entrance music and his raw energy?

The Ultimate Warrior was just as big in the wrestling world as Hulk Hogan back in the day - perhaps even bigger in 1990 when he beat the Hulkster for the WWE belt in their epic battle at Wrestlemania 6 at the Toronto Skydome.

However, just three days after finally being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame last weekend, the Ultimate Warrior died on Wednesday aged 54 - gone too soon.

Like I said, the Ultimate Warrior may not mean anything to you, but he meant plenty to me as a kid.

KA: Well Westy, I'm sorry for your loss and let me pass my condolences on to you.

All the craze of wrestling back in the '80s and this man you speak of, The Ultimate Warrior, who I'm unfamiliar with, was before my time.

I'm a '90s kid, but I'm sure the WWE's fake tans and poor acting was just as bad then as it still is now.

But I am not afraid to admit that I did go to the WWE with my dad and sister when it came to Melbourne for the first time all those years ago. 

About 30,000 people packed Etihad Stadium to see The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Triple H. 

It was a lot of fun, but I quickly came to my senses and my focus was back on real sport, like footy. 

LW: Aaahh yes, the footy.

It was back with a bang last weekend with the Bendigo, Heathcote District, Loddon Valley and North Central football leagues all kicking off.

I really enjoyed the two BFL games I went to at Kyneton and Strathfieldsaye.

The Tigers were the main focus of attention leading into their senior return against Eaglehawk, but full credit to the Hawks to overcome a slow start and get their season off to a winning start.

The Tigers didn't get the four points first-up, but it was great for all the Kyneton supporters to have a senior team to cheer for again, and boy, did they make some noise.

As for Sunday's grand final rematch between Strathfieldsaye and Golden Square, I don't think I've seen a bigger home and away crowd in the BFL.

It was massive, and as expected, Milney put on a show with five goals in his BFL debut for the Storm.

Milney played forward all game, and if he does that for the remainder of the season, lock him in for the ton.

KA: It is going to be an exciting year. 

It was great to see so many people come out across the weekend to support their local teams. 

Milne was definitely the main attraction for Strathfieldsaye.

I believe it is still important for fans to cheer on their teams win, lose or draw at any level. 

As a Collingwood supporter I have seen some amazing wins, heartbreaking losses and a grand final draw and I have never left a game early.  You support your team to the very end, until the final siren sounds. 

LW: Easier said than done at times, Magpie.

It certainly hasn't taken long for the "footy weather" to hit central Victoria this week.

With the amount of rain we've had this week, there could be some testing early-season conditions for players this weekend, which would be in stark contrast to last week's bright sunshine and fast tracks.

KA: Footy is a winter sport if you didn't realise, Westy. 

Put on your cardigan and suck it up.