STAR Yarrawonga signing Leigh Masters and former Carlton high-flyer Andrew Walker went head-to-head during the Pigeons regulation win over Echuca on Saturday.
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Although the pair spent time as loose men in defence, Masters picked up the Echuca coach at different stages with both having their moments in tough conditions.
The Pigeons were too strong for their younger opposition even without a host of big names including Lachie Howe, Willie Wheeler and Brandon Symes.
Tyler Bonat and Sam Schulz spent time on wings, Harry Wheeler was strong on the ball and Logan Morey and Bronson Schofield did some nice things in defence.
Young key position player Matt Casey also played.
Wodonga Raiders went down to Benalla in a scrappy tussle at Wodonga Secondary College.
The Raiders trailed by about two goals before resting players after three quarters with coach Jarrod Hodgkin saying his team had things to work on before meeting Wangaratta in round one.
"Our skill execution was frustrating at times but with five, six or seven quality players out it all makes a difference I guess," Hodgkin said.
Cooper Daly stood out across half-back for the Raiders while Connor Newman kicked three goals in two quarters before leaving the game early due to cricket commitments.
"Cooper developed nicely in 2019 and he looks ready to take another step," Hodgkin said.
The Raiders sorely missed the experience of Hodgkin and Steve Jolliffe in the midfield while Jydon Neagle, Ethan Boxall, Scott Meyer and Tom Bracher were other notable absentees.
Wangaratta Rovers finished strongly to defeat Queanbeyan by nine points in Canberra.
The Hawks trailed early before their strong fitness base kicked in and they were able to hold off the strong ACT side.
Cody Schutt impressed for the victors, along with Jamason Daniels, Ed Dayman, Tyler Cornish, Sam Murray and the ever-reliable Sam Carpenter.
Lower Plenty defeated a severely undermanned Corowa-Rutherglen by 60 points.
The Roos were missing about 15 players due to cricket, injuries and unavailability with the club moving next weekend's clash against Murray league club Nathalia to the Sunday to avoid a similar situation.
Jason Marks, Brent Rose, Iain McGillivray and Tyson Logie toiled hard.
Boom recruit Tom Goodwin played a half as he continues to build his fitness base.
