The 2026 season gets underway in style with a highly anticipated standalone Good Friday clash, as Greensborough host Eltham at War Memorial Park. With both sides eager to make an early statement, the stage is set for a fierce and entertaining contest between two evenly matched rivals.
Greensborough enter the new campaign with plenty of excitement surrounding their lineup, headlined by the arrival of boom recruit Tom Mitchell. The Brownlow Medallist brings a wealth of AFL experience, elite ball-winning ability, and leadership to the Borough midfield, and his presence is expected to significantly strengthen their engine room. Supporters will be keen to see how quickly he can influence proceedings in his first outing in Borough colours.
Alongside Mitchell, Greensborough will rely on several familiar names to set the tone early in the season. Jackson Davies, Thomas Brindley, and Jack Johnston all enjoyed strong 2025 campaigns and will be looking to carry that form into the new year. Their consistency and ability to impact both inside and outside the contest will be crucial if the Borough are to gain the upper hand.
The recent history between these two sides suggests there will be little separating them once again. The last time they met on Good Friday, Eltham emerged victorious by 27 points in a hard-fought contest. However, Greensborough responded emphatically later in the season, evening the ledger with an impressive 33-point win. With one victory apiece, both teams know they have what it takes to come out on top, adding another layer of intrigue to this matchup.
Eltham will be equally confident heading into the clash, with several key players expected to play pivotal roles. Declan Ayres looms as one of the Panthers’ most important contributors. After being named in the Team of the Year in 2025, Ayres has established himself as a standout performer, and his ability to influence the game across multiple areas of the ground will be vital to Eltham’s chances.
Up forward, David Evans will once again be the focal point of the Panthers’ attack. As Eltham’s leading goal kicker last season, Evans has proven his ability to consistently hit the scoreboard and provide a strong presence inside 50. If he can get good supply from the midfield, he has the potential to cause serious problems for the Greensborough defence.
For the Borough, their own attacking threats will be just as important. Rayden Garrard, entering his second season at the club, will be one to watch. After an impressive debut year, Garrard showed he has the ability to find the big sticks and impact games in crucial moments. Greensborough will be hoping he can build on that foundation and become a reliable source of goals throughout 2026.
With the occasion of Good Friday, a standalone timeslot, and two competitive sides ready to go, the atmosphere at War Memorial Park is expected to be electric. Fans from both clubs will be eager to see how their teams shape up in the opening round, and whether new faces and returning stars can make an immediate impact.
All signs point to a high-quality and hard-fought encounter. Make sure to get down to War Memorial Park and be part of what promises to be a thrilling start to the 2026 season.
