FIXTURES have been released for the 2017 edition of the Geelong Pre-Season Cup, which will be held at Geelong Rangers home ground, Myers Reserve, in Bell Post Hill over the course of five weeks, starting on Friday, January 20.

PHOTO: Previous Pre-Season Cup winners Geelong SC heads into the 2017 tournament once again the hot favourites for the title

Hosts Rangers have been placed in Group A alongside State League Four rivals Bell Park and Surf Coast, as well as reigning local league GRFC Division One champions Deakin Ducks, who will be making their debut in the long running tournament.

Group B will see hot title favourites Geelong joined by State Two’s Corio, State Five outfit Lara United and newly promoted State Four club and another tournament newcomer, the Bannockburn based Golden Plains.

The Ducks will take on Surf Coast in the opening game of the tournament on January 20 at 6pm, followed by the blockbuster clash of near neighbours, Rangers and Bell Park, at 7.20pm. 

On the Sunday evening, Golden Plains will renew old acquaintances from last season‘s State Five competition with Lara United at 6pm, while Corio will do the same when it takes on reigning State Two champion Geelong at 7:20pm.

The long standing pre-season cup, strongly supported by the Cup’s media partner the Geelong Advertiser, gives Geelong supporters and players an appetiser for the coming Senior Men's season and has drawn good crowds since it was started in 1981.

Tournament organisers are still seeking a naming rights sponsor for the 2017 edition. However, the series is again backed by the Geelong Advertiser with Geelong Connected Communities also supporting the cup.

The FFV has renewed its backing and will sponsor the team's fair play award.

The final is scheduled for Sunday, February 19.