SHEPPARTON v SHEPPARTON UNITED
Expectations are at the Harold Street end of Deakin Reserve this season and anything less than a top three or four finish could be seen as a failure.
The Bears qualified for the finals for the first time in a decade last year and made it all the way through to week two, pushing eventual runner-up Rochester all the way.
Brad Campbell and his recruiting staff have assembled a very good team again, with the recruitment of youth and experience.
In addition, the club has been able to retain a large percentage of last year’s list which argues well for the year.
On the other hand, United has been written off by many of the football pundits, but that just might suit them.
The Demons have recruited two high profiles players in Luke Lowden and Matt Spangher. The duo will provide plenty of experience to a young Demons outfit that is likely to feature a few players from last year’s under 18 winning team.
SHEPPARTON SWANS v KYABRAM
The Shepparton Swans face the daunting task of playing host to the reigning premier to start the season.
It might not be a bad thing for the Swans to be playing the Bombers first up.
They may find them a little rusty and premiership coach Paul Newman will be riding home to his boys to be switched on from the first bounce.
The Bombers have lost a few players from last year’s squad, but the inclusion of Brad Mangan and Patrick Weardon is sure to strengthen the list.
Paul Griffiths is commencing his coaching career and he is refusing to put an expectations or a ceiling of where this young list can go in 2017.
All, he will demand is that his players stick to the game plan and strive to improve each week.
MOOROOPNA v BENALLA
After going through the 2016 season without tasting victory, I can assure you readers that this will not be the case for the Cats this year.
Expect them to improve and especially since the inclusion of some experienced bigger bodies from Tasmania along with the injection of some district players willing to have a go at making it at the higher level.
Benalla is not expected to be as strong as previous years, but one thing for Luke Morgan’s side is the expected improvement to come from the young players he has blooded over the past two years.
The Saints still have plenty of class on their list and they have added a key forward in Jarrod Bannister while David Mennen has returned to the fold after playing VFL last year while some premiership players have returned to the showgrounds after a year away.
ROCHESTER v SEYMOUR
This will be early season clash where plenty is on the line, even if it is only round one.
The Tigers finished runner-up last year while the Lions will be eager to make amends from what was a disappointing finish to 2016.
Both teams will be coached well and the Lions are looming large, with the return of some star power in the form of Saad Saad, Jake Anderson and Hugh Robertson.
Expect the Tigers to get plenty from the returning Daniel Hamilton who returns from injury to offset the loss of Daniel Anderson to a knee injury for the year.
Another two players expected to play more pivotal roles this year are Scott Oakley and Perry Oliver.
Both came back into the fold after recovering from injuries.
MANSFIELD v TATURA
The great unknown is probably the best way to describe this match-up.
As always with Mansfield you never hear much about them while Tatura is expected to rise up the table under the guidance of Jamison Daniels.
Tatura is giving an opportunity to many district players wanting to have a crack at trying to make their mark at the highest level, while not too many have left the club.
The big inclusions are Daniels, Chris Ryan, Liam Borelli and Che Walls from Golden Square.
The Eagles have landed two high profile recruits in Brett Mahoney from Western Australia and Nick Gray.
Both of these guys are expected to have a big impact and they will need to in a bid to offset some of the key departures in the off-season.
ECHUCA v EUROA
Both of these teams will be eager to get their seasons off to a winning start after the disappointment of missing the finals in 2016.
The Murray Bombers have lost a number of players to neighbouring competitions while Euroa has managed to lure a few players back who left at the end of 2015.
The inclusion of Ruory Kirkby is likely to compliment Jordan Florance while the inclusion of Cory Hargrave gives the Murray Bombers midfield some added potency.
Euroa will be coached by JD Hayes and the Pies have what could possibly be one of the recruits of the year.
Ex-Demon Rohan Bail is likely to have a huge impact in the competition and is considered one of the favourites to take home the Morrison Medal.
The retention of former coach Nathan Gilliland is another real bonus for the Pies and expect him to be a headache for opposition defenders.
Tips: Echuca, Tatura, Rochester, Benalla, Kyabram and Shepparton.
Last Modified on 01/05/2017 10:03