By: Lorcan MATHEWS

THE GRFC Men’s Division 1 season kicks off in earnest tonight as newly promoted Barwon Heads host an ambitious Barwon SC at Village Park, with the revamped 10-team league set to provide an exciting competition format in 2017.

PHOTO: Barwon coach Dale Harris welcomes new Queensland recruit Ben Hubbard, as club president David Rea watches on.

Under the new senior management of Dale Harris, a rejuvenated Barwon SC will be looking to continue its excellent pre-season form, which has seen the ambitious squad come out undefeated after recording some stunning results, most notably a 7-1 victory over Geelong Rangers just over a fortnight ago.

The Hammerheads will most certainly be looking to contain the physicality and pace of striker Craig Cameron-Smith, while Barwon SC’s explosive winger Sean Mahon, who struck 18 times last season will miss the first round through suspension.

Barwon SC is blessed with fierce competition for starting positions throughout its squad, further fuelling its ambitions to apply for promotion to the FFV Metropolitan State League Five competition in 2018, while newly promoted Barwon Heads face the proposition of a tough opening fixture, albeit in front of their home fans.

“As a club, we have set that target of promotion. Throughout pre-season the boys trained exceptionally, we gave everyone a chance to impress and that was reflected in our results” stated first year Barwon coach Dale Harris.

Harris suggested the opening fixture would be a great testing point for his squad.

“Tonight will be a great test of our squad’s depth. We go into the game against Barwon Heads without Dylan Robertson and Sean Mahon who are both out with suspensions, as well as new signing Nathan Drazinic, who is recovering from a Grade-2 hamstring tear.

“The squad itself currently has a brilliant mix of State League experienced players, as well as boys who have some National Premier League Under 20 involvement under their belt. Credit to the club, we have assembled a good squad. What we aim for this year is to build for hopefully promotion to State League in 2018, and any good results that come our way are a bonus,” concluded Harris.

IN OTHER MATCHES...

Lara United FC v Geelong Rangers SC

Sunday April 23, (Lara Recreation Reserve – 1pm)

Newly promoted Lara United FC will look for a positive result in their initial round one Men’s Division 1 fixture against 2016 Division 1 runner-up Geelong Rangers SC.

A baptism of fire first up for Lara, Rangers, while finishing fourth at the close of the regular season in 2016, a storming finals campaign saw Geelong Rangers narrowly defeated in the Grand-Final, and the Rangers boys will be looking to kick-start their 2017 campaign with a strong statement.

Lara United FC, under the care of Hayden Coombes will be intending to embrace the ‘northern derby’ with full effect on Sunday afternoon at Lara Recreation Reserve.

Breakwater Eagles SC v Surf Coast FC

Sunday April 23, (White Eagle House – 1pm)

Breakwater Eagles SC welcome Surf Coast FC to ‘Eagle House’ on Sunday to begin their 2017 season, with both teams looking to prove a point early on. With only three points separating the two teams at the close of last season, an exciting fixture is in prospect, with a strong Breakwater back-four who conceded only sixteen goals throughout 2016 looking to propel the team to greater heights this year.

FC Leopold v Surfside Waves SC

Sunday, April 23^rd (Estuary Reserve, 3pm)

In what most certainly will be an enthralling encounter at Estuary Reserve to signal Leopold’s debut season in Division 1, ‘the Greens’ will host neighbouring side Surfside Waves at home on Sunday afternoon.

Fielding no less than three men’s teams throughout Divisions 1,2 and 3, FC Leopold have been the pre-season success story, with incredible registration numbers recorded for the club’s inaugural season.

While the prospect of facing Waves, coached by Pablo Mujica in in their initial fixture may be a daunting one, the atmosphere at Leopold will be electric, with a first-up home win the ideal start for Mujica’s squad.

Drysdale SC v Deakin Ducks FC Gold

Sunday, April 23^rd (Howard Glover Reserve, 3pm)

To conclude Round One, Drysdale SC face the intimidating prospect of hosting reigning champions Deakin Ducks at what Drysdale will hope to be their final season at Howard Glover Reserve before the transition to Drysdale Sports Precinct begins in 2018.

Drysdale has signalled its intentions in appointing new manager Jason Pickles, and it will be interesting to view what calibre of players the Ducks run out for the competition this season, in light of their promotion to State League.

Those hoping for a round one upset however, could be in for a rude awakening, with the free-scoring ducks registering over seventy-two goals, while conceding a mere six throughout the regular 2016 season.