Rixon’s performance combined with a hat trick for Luke Behrends, a double for Adam Waters and a goal for Alex Gorka was more than enough to do the damage.

A successful penalty for Heart’s Thomas Coolegem was the only saving grace for the visitors.

While his side was expected to win comfortably, Rixon was pleased his side found the back of the net 11 times.

“We spoke about it through the week, the first month for us is about picking up points,” he said.

“Last year I think we were down at half-time and they hadn’t won a game all year.

“It’s easy to come in and say we should win, but you can’t really complain with 11-1.

“The build-up stays exactly the same, nothing changes.

“I copped a fair bit of flack during the week for putting myself up top, but I’ll have a chat about it at training, all five of them.

“To score 11 goals is something we haven’t been able to do for a long time.”

It was Behrends’ first senior game of the season, while Gorka and 17-year-old Jake Cronin also impressed.

“We had a good chance to play a few blokes which was good,” Rixon said.

“We made three changes this week, but on paper I think we’ve got a lot of depth this year.

“We lose three, but we just put three straight, which is something I’ve got no dramas with.”

Melrose’s attention now shifts to Albury United next Sunday.

“It doesn’t really matter where we played United or if they’re top and we’re bottom, it’s always one of those games you look forward to,” Rixon said.

“I know personally it’s a game I look forward to every year, so we’ll roll into next week and see how we go.”

Heart coach Kris Regulski said scoring a goal was a big positive.

"We’re starting to move the ball around well, we just haven’t had a lot of time together,” Regulski said.

“Brandon Fleming got injured today and came off, but he’s a very good player and we’re trying to utilise him properly.

“The goal set is to try and get the team to gel.

“Brad Stratton has been a big injury for us, but he played in the twos today, so I’m hoping to get him fit and back into the first grade side.”

Around the grounds, Twin City Wanderers notched up a 4-1 win against Albury Hotspurs, largely thanks to a hat trick from Matt Hasler.

Defending league champions Cobram Roar got its first points of the season with a dominant 6-1 victory over St Pats.

A double from Adam Burchell handed Wangaratta City a 3-1 triumph against Albury City.

Boomers got on the winners list with a 2-0 result against Wodonga Diamonds, while Albury United pulled off an impressive 3-0 win against cup champions Myrtleford at Myrtleford.