Footy was finally back on a beautiful, sunny Phillip Island day for Easter Saturday after a 2020 Covid-enforced recess, with arch-rivals Kilcunda-Bass returning to the season opening Easter Saturday timeslot.

Planning and more planning led up to the day, with limits of up to 5000 allowed in, despite an April fools attempt by the PIFNC president with an ‘limit’ of 1000 circulated early on
Good Friday.

The writer was taken by the trick, so good on you Chris Ross!

Even before kick-off, dramas aplenty, including a messy intrusion onto the ground by an
unwelcome vehicle attempting rally-cross early Good Friday morning.

A quick call was needed to local turf gurus and Bass Coast Shire employees Darren and Corey Green.

The ground was brought back to tip-top condition ready for kick-off on Saturday.

Thank goodness for the Green’s I say!

With an estimated crowd of more than 2500 at game time, the unfurling of the 2019 premiership flag took place.

Led by Jess and Shane Gislingham – in honour of the outstanding service of 40 years by Jim (Shane’s dad and Jess’s grandad) who had manned the gate for the bulldogs for 40 years and was loved by all local footy supporters from all clubs.

The scene was set for a long-awaited return of local footy!

Seniors
With Beau Vernon returning as senior coach, th