Former Essendon cult hero Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has helped lead Sunraysia Football League club Imperial to a drought-breaking win.

McDonald-Tipungwuti booted an equal game-high three goals as his new team recorded its first win in 617 days, defeating last year's grand finalists Robinvale-Euston by 27 points.

Imperial 14.11 (95) beat Robinvale-Euston 10.8 (68) on Saturday in front of a packed crowd at Sarah Oval in Mildura.

Imperial opened up a 22-point lead at the first change courtesy of a five-goal to two opening quarter, before Robinvale-Euston hit back during the second and third terms.

The margin was reduced to just four points during the early stages of the last quarter before Imperial stormed home to kick four final term goals, including one from the ex-Bombers star.

McDonald-Tipungwuti finished the match with a wayward 3.5 but was named his team's second-best player.

Imperial president Dale Stafford told the Herald Sun that he was pleased with the former AFL stars first appearance.

"He was very impressive," Stafford said.

"He did a few things no other player could do.

"He kicked 3.5, and it could have been 5.3, but his pressure and his leadership at the breaks and out on the ground is something we love."

McDonald-Tipungwuti joined the club late last year in what was easily one of the biggest recruiting coups in country Victoria.

The livewire forward enjoyed a terrific AFL career for Essendon featuring in 133 games and kicking 157 goals across eight seasons.

He kicked a career-high seven goals against the Brisbane Lions in Round 4 of the 2019 season and won the Bombers' leading goalkicker award the following year.

Stafford told the Herald Sun before the game that McDonald-Tipungwuti had enjoyed a great pre-season with his new team.

"He's ready to go, we are pretty excited and he is pretty excited," Stafford said.

"He's set the standard (in training), he's not only trained but he's rarely missed a session.

"He's also been doing his own personal training for the past two months."

"His ball use and decision making is exceptional – it's to a level we don't often see here and we are looking forward to see."

Before signing with Imperial, McDonald-Tipungwuti made a return to the Tiwi Bombers during the 2023/24 Northern Territory Football League season, playing four matches and averaging 10 disposals and a goal per game.