Good Friday will mark the first official senior football and netball matches in close to a year, after the COVID-19 pandemic snatched away the 2020 season.
Tocumwal will play host to Berrigan in round one's solitary match, with the rest of the clubs getting a slice of action in round two.
Tocumwal football co-ordinator David Bate said the Bloods would bring the fight to a talented Berrigan outfit.
“We have mutual respect. There’s not a hate or a grudge to the game, it’s more of a neighbouring town feel,” Bate said.
“We just want to make it hard on them to get any easy kicks or any easy goals.
“We want to make sure, if they get anything, they earn everything, and nothing comes easy to them.”
There is no hiding the fact the Saints will be a dominant force this season.
Berrigan made good use of its 18-month break by getting into heavy recruitment to build the strongest possible side.
The Saints welcomed former Barooga playing coach James Hazelman in the off-season, along with past Berrigan premiership player Will Gorman and former Yarrawonga gun Tim McAuley.
“We have McAuley from Yarrawonga, Hazelman and Wade Demazzi from Barooga, Gorman returning from Yarrawonga, and former junior Zeke Cuppins returning from Finley,” Berrigan coach Ty Russell said.
“James (Hazelman) is a centre half-back with plenty of experience and Gorman’s a very experienced goal-kicker.
“Tim (McAuley) will bring toughness and Adam Way adds height. Adam was runner-up in the league medal when he only played half the year.
“I think we have big chance of a win, but we are probably in the same boat as Tocumwal.”
But the Bloods are represented by their own star additions.
Playing coach Kade Rowe joins from Tungamah — where he helped the Bears reach finals action in the Murray league in 2019 — and assistant coach Luke Congram jumps ship from Yarrawonga.
Bate spoke highly of Rowe's inclusion and said Tocumwal would only blood one senior debutant this weekend.
“Tommy Barker will be our only senior to debut this match, all the other young guys have played with us,” he said.
“Our coach Kade Rowe will be one to look out for, he’s a good inside player, but you can use him on the outside as well.’’
● It will also be a massive day for the netball sides as they square off for the first time since 2019.
With talented A-grade player coach Laura Gorman beefing up the Saints and experienced head Kate Bird leading the Bloods, the A-grade game is sure to be an exciting encounter.
Joining Gorman at Berrigan in 2021 are newcomers Alliza Evans and Leah Dalgliesh.
But expect to see plenty of youth on display for both challengers.
Tocumwal is focusing on developing its next generation, while Berrigan's incoming coach emphasised the club's youngsters would get plenty of court time.
“There will be lots of room for junior development this year,” Gorman said.
“I know as a junior I always loved the opportunity to play (higher) up.”
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