Coaches, players and supporters of the Mininera and District Football League have some big games to look forward to as round one commences on Saturday.
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In the football, after more than 18 months of waiting Penshurst will face-off against Great Western in a 2019 grand final rematch.
Great Western senior football coach Will Bell said his side was well prepared to head down south and compete with one of the strongest sides from the 2019 season.
"I think it will be a really heated game, both clubs performed really well in 2019 and for us to both make the grand final really shows that," he said.
"We only won by five points, so there wasn't a hell of a lot in the game and I expect it to be on from the first bounce.
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"We don't know much about Penshurst and what players are at their football club, and they have probably had some ins and outs just like we have.
"We are going into the unknown, but we are looking forward to the game.
"Our members have been waiting for a long time for this and to have a reason to get back together, support the footy club and enjoy a social outing.
"I think both clubs can't wait for the day and hopefully we can get out and enjoy local sport again."
In the netball perennial contenders Tatyoon will face a stern test against the mighty Glenthompson-Dunkeld.
Glenthompson-Dunkeld have won two of the last five MDNA Grade grand finals, including in 2019 when the club completed an undefeated season with a 27-point grand final win over Woorndoo Mortlake.
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Despite the task ahead in round one, Tatyoon A Grade coach Zoe Astbury is looking forward to the challenge of competing against the best early in the season.
"They're an amazing team and they set the standard in the league so it will be a tough game first up but it will be good for us to play them round one and then we will know the level of the season," she said.
"We're seeing it as a challenge and we know we will have to bust our guts and go out hard and produce the best netball that we can.
"We are not expecting anything fantastic we are just hoping to put out four good quarters against the best in the league and the best in the league for so long.
"We are ready to sink our teeth in."
Mininera round one fixtures
- Ararat Eagles v Lismore Derrinallum
- Glenthompson Dunkeld v Tatyoon
- Hawkesdale Macarthur v SMW Rovers
- Moyston Willaura v Wickliffe Lake Bolac
- Penshurst v Great Western
- Woorndoo Mortlake v Caramut
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