NEWLY promoted Men’s Division One outfit Barwon Heads will host the opening game of the 2017 GRFC season on Friday April 21 at Village Park, with the revamped 10 team structure set to be one of the most intriguing locally based competitions in years.

PHOTO: Deakin's Harry Woolley and Rangers' veteran Joao Ramos at a special pre-Grand Final photo shoot by the Waterfront, ahead of last year's GRFC Men's Division 1 final. Who will be the two teams contesting this year's Grand Final? (Photo: Tonci Prusac)

The Hammerheads’ opponent on Match Day #1 will be the highly ambitious Barwon SC, which has signalled its championship winning aspirations by appointing highly credentialed coach Dale Harris at the helm of its Senior Men’s team.

The Grovedale outfit is intending to apply for promotion to the Metropolitan State League Five competition in 2018, which this year features last season’s all conquering GRFC Division One champion, Deakin Ducks.

Another newly promoted outfit, Lara United, will also be faced with a baptism of fire when it hosts last season’s losing grand finalists Geelong Rangers in the big ‘northern derby’ on the Sunday afternoon at Lara Recreation Reserve.

At the same time across town, Breakwater Eagles will host Surf Coast at the White Eagle Club in Breakwater with both teams looking to prove a point early in the piece.

Drysdale SC, which has appointed Jason Pickles as its new head coach, will host reigning champions Deakin Ducks in what is hoped will be its final season at Howard Glover Reserve, before its highly anticipated move to the new Drysdale Sports Precinct in 2018.

In view of the Ducks’ promotion to State League, it will be interesting to see what calibre of players will take to the field for the Ducks in the local competition this year.

Nonetheless, with the Ducks set to field no fewer than five teams in the three Men’s divisions, those expecting a weakened Ducks outfit will undoubtedly be in for a rude shock.

Finally, newly formed club FC Leopold will make its debut in the GRFC competition when the Greens host the neighbouring Surfside Waves at Estuary Estate Reserve in Leopold on the Sunday afternoon.

Already an overnight success story off the field, FC Leopold will this year be fielding no less than three men’s teams – one each in Division 1, 2 and 3!