Back in the top league, Old Trinity faces new challenges which come with promotion, as well as those perennial ones proffered by retirements, relocations and injuries.

In its first outing OT faced its Bulleen Road neighbour in Marcellin. Both sides had been slated in the day’s Amateur Footballer to finish in the bottom half of the ladder, so some might have dismissed the contest as the first salvo in the relegation battle. Insiders, of course, have higher ambitions!

It was, by any measure, going to be a test of the playing group’s depth. One third of the side that had taken the field in the previous game (the 2009 Grand Final) was missing. The opportunity was there for other players – including a handful of first-gamers – to step up.

Marcellin started much the better kicking the first goal before OT had touched the ball. Tim Howell in the back half showed that his marking skills had not waned in the off season. Both sides were going in hard but were letting themselves down with poor skills, especially when close to goal. This was especially damaging to Andrew Ramsden, lining up in his customary position at full forward. Indiscriminate forays into the forward fifty gave him little opportunity to use his marked height advantage, especially against some effective zoning and double teaming by Marcellin. Tim Chivers however filled a gap nicely and kicked two effective goals in the second term. At half time OT had sneaked to a 2 goal advantage and looked the more settled side.

The third quarter was again even in outcome, though OT had by far the best of the chances. Andrew Burke was playing an effective game in the back half, using his vigour and bulk to spoil several attacking moves. Kristian Butler , in a BoG performance, was providing dash and linkage from a half back. When Jack Osborne was injured half way through the term, some of the impetus that OT was building seemed to evaporate. Not to be outdone Marcellin started to lift its intensity and finished the quarter outscoring OT by a goal.

The last quarter started in much the same vein – Marcellin showing purpose and tenacity to take the lead just a few minutes in. OT found itself in an unexpected position, especially given its dominance in attacking moves. They scored again to regain the lead only to have it snatched away again by a persistent opponent. It was looking like a classic arm wrestle to the line. It was a position from which an inexperienced side might well capitulate.

The last ten minutes pointed instead to side with poise: an inexperienced midfield was well led by Matt Jessop, along with Anthony Kenna and Jed Burgess and first-gamer Calum Pohl working hard through the middle. Rob Humann, marked strongly and converted to give OT the lead again, while another rookie in Harry Tinney kept popping up across the half forward running hard and creating a target. After breaking a couple of tackles, he almost put the game beyond question with a goal on the run. Five unanswered goal saw Old Trinity get home comfortably. But the result did not reflect the closeness of the contest, nor the composure of the young winners.