AFTER an extended mid-season break, Newbridge coach Luke Freeman likened last weekend's Loddon Valley league return as similar to that of round one.

Freeman said there was an enormous buzz around Riverside Park for what was the Maroons' first game in 35 days against Calivil United.

Before Saturday the Maroons hadn't played since their May 15 win over Inglewood.

Newbridge had the bye on May 22, which was followed by no play being possible on May 29 and June 5 due to community senior sport being impacted by lockdown restrictions.

The LVFNL then opted against a re-start of the competition on June 12 due to spectators not being permitted before last weekend finally resuming with round eight under the league's revised fixture.

"Having been so long between games it felt a bit like round one," Freeman said this week.

"But win, lose or draw, just having the feeling of the community being back at the football and netball was huge.

"You can't under-estimate what clubs mean in these communities, so be able to put on a show for our community, it was great to be able to do that again and you could really sense it on Saturday."

The Maroons marked their return to the field with their second win of the season as they beat Calivil United 11.15 (81) to 7.8 (50).

Not surprisingly given such a long lay-off, the Maroons were rusty early and the game was in the balance at half-time with Newbridge ahead by one point.

However, the Maroons had the better of the second half, kicking six goals to two to pull away for the 31-point victory, backing up the earlier success of their reserves, who also won their second game of the season.

"It was a really good team effort by the boys. We took a while to get going and Calivil United made it hard for us, but the boys dug in and it was pleasing to see we got better as the game wore on," Freeman said.

"Overall though, it was just great to be back out there playing again."

This Saturday's games - Bridgewater v Mitiamo, Marong v Newbridge, Maiden Gully YCW v Inglewood, Pyramid Hill v BL-Serpentine. Calivil United bye.

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