Tocumwal and Berrigan will do battle in Tocumwal for the Picola League on Good Friday, while the Finley Cats are on the road for round one of the Murray League for its traditional clash with Deni on the same day.
Tocumwal has returned to the Picola league after a year in the Murray League, and will host Berrigan for the clash.
It will mark the senior debuts of both Berrigan senior coach Mitch Di Petta and Tocumwal senior coach Leigh Morse.
Di Petta said he is looking forward to the opening round after making his way across from coaching success in the Murray League at Mulwala from 2023.
“I am feeling pretty excited; it’s my first year coaching by myself after coaching in Mulwala with a fair bit of success there.
“I’m starting with a blank canvas here at Berrigan, so I’m optimistic and looking forward to the opportunity to have a fair dinkum crack with a team that has struggled a little bit over the last couple of years.”
Di Petta has said there aren’t too many expectations holding himself or the team back ahead of the opening clash on Friday.
“Not having those expectations is one of the biggest things that has helped me relax in to the role,” he said.
“Being able to do it my way, and as a fresh face around the town, I want to put the side in a solid place to build on for the next couple years.”
Both clubs are young and looking to put on a good show after long pre-seasons.
“Coming up against Toc is what we’ve been working towards since pre-season; since October,” Di Petta said.
“We can never fully emulate a match in training, so we’re looking forward to a tough contest against Toc.”
The Finley and Deni Rams clash on Good Friday will be played under lights at Deniliquin.
The Cats have spent a lot of time in the pre-season building a quality team and getting fit.
Recruitment has seen the Cats snare some big names, like former AFL product Mark Whiley, who comes home to Finley after playing with the Carlton Football Club and then the Yarrawonga Pigeons.
But Deni have snagged some AFL talent of their own, with Deni Rams junior and former Western Bulldog Sam Lloyd signing on for 2024.
Coming along for the ride with him will be mate Hamish Shepheard, who spent three years in the AFL with Fremantle.
The Good Friday clash will be held at Deniliquin’s Hardinge St oval, with netball games starting from 12.45pm and football from 1.15pm.
The senior footballers take to the field at 6pm.
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