FOOTBALL and netball seasons full of hope and intrigue will kick off for teams across the Mitchell, Macedon Ranges and Whittlesea regions this weekend.
In the Northern Football Netball League’s top division, Whittlesea will face a stern first-up test against 2022 preliminary finalist Montmorency.
The Eagles are keen to prove they belong in division one after narrowly avoiding relegation last season, and will get a good early indication of their chances against the Magpies.
Whittlesea was non-competitive in an early 157-point shellacking at the hands of Montmorency last season, but improved significantly in their second meeting, losing by only 29 points.
New coach Wayne Van Der Ross has been working on a game style balancing attack with defence, and will rely on new recruits including Thomas Flood and Matt Dornauf to add their experience to the young Eagles side.
The Kilmore Blues will also field a younger-looking side in division three as they face a road game against last season’s grand finalist Laurimar in round one.
Two of the three meetings between the sides last season were decided by less than a kick, and the match should be an early litmus test for the Blues under new coach Paul Derrick.
With two-time league best and fairest Chris Ryall departing for division one side West Preston-Lakeside, Kilmore’s midfield depth will be tested, but the Blues still have the likes of Chris Barton and co-captains Leigh Irons and Mick Marrett to rely on in the engine room.
In the Riddell District Football Netball League, the new-look Wallan Magpies will make the short trip west to play Romsey in round one.
The Magpies are one of the league’s most intriguing sides in 2023, having lost about a dozen senior players from last season’s preliminary final team but recruiting several more key players to fill the gaps.
Among the recruits is veteran defender Michael Tinkler, who will face his old Romsey team-mates immediately, but apart from Tinkler’s departure, the Redbacks will remain largely unchanged this year.
On the netball court the Redbacks are looking for improvement, with several former A Grade premiership players returning to the club, while Wallan will look to integrate a new duo of Maeve Donegan and Rebekah Konstantopoulos in goals after the departure of long-time player Chloe Meulenmeesters.
Lancefield has a first-round bye.
Spirits are also high at Broadford, which will make its long-awaited return as a standalone football team in a home game against Warburton-Millgrove on Saturday.
The Roos combined with Yea last year due to lack of numbers, but have enjoyed a strong off-season.
Broadford’s netball program is also looking for improvement after recruiting Meulenmeesters from Wallan and promoting its junior players.
Results from each week’s games will be printed in the Review during football/netball season.
