by Rob Popplestone
The start of a new season opens up a range of possibilities, and all Mid Gippsland clubs are prepared to put their pre-season to the test under "real" match conditions in round one on Saturday.
No matter the work invested by players and coaches alike, there is sure to be some nervous moments before, during and after this weekend.
The state's most successful team Fish Creek start a rare quest to win three premierships in succession, a feat only completed three times prior in the league's long history.
Hill End will host Mirboo North, whilst Thorpdale will travel to face Morwell East.
Hill End v Mirboo North
By their own admission, these two teams would concede that 2024 was a season to, not so much to forget, but certainly to build on.
They have gone about their business in the off-season, doing the things that need to be done in order to achieve the improvement required to be stronger, closer and tougher teams.
The Rovers, with new coach Adrian Burns at the helm, have certainly put in place a more structured and demanding pre-season.
"Fitness was key and I think we are on track for improvement," Burns said. "Our main aim in 2025 is to really be a better, more competitive team, and that's what we'll be working on."
With some existing and added talent, Hill End will believe they are capable of registering a rare win over their Tiger visitors this weekend.
However, they face some very hard opposition, with Mirboo North also believing they are better placed this year than last for a successful start.
"Last year we were a bit behind, but this season we are on track," Mirboo North coach Damian Turner said.
Still a young side, Turner said "we've secured some midfield depth and some key position players so that we have some down the line strength and support".
The Tigers are likely to play some no nonsense football with their strength down the spine. However, they will still have the option to dance around the ground as their foot skills and running come into play.
Morwell East v Thorpdale
Football can do funny things. For former Yinnar and now Thorpdale coach Daniel Taylor, it was a call from a friend that enticed the well respected leader to the Blues.
"A friendship with Jason Winderlich is really what got me to the Blues," Taylor admitted. "I wasn't sure that I had it in me, but obviously I have."
Looking to the season ahead, he said the Blues had lost "quite a few" players but had a number to come back.
"We wouldn't want to have a lot of injuries or bad luck mind you," Taylor added.
Taylor has managed to put together good sides, within good clubs and achieve great results. This first up test against a strong looking Hawks side will give some real clarity to just where Thorpdale sit.
Morwell East coach Paul Henry said pre-season had been a bit slower this year than last.
"Personnel wise, we lost ruckman Isaac Abas but gained Traralgon premiership player Max Jacobson and a few more quality inclusions," Henry said. "Our list is as good, if not better, than 2024."
Looking forward to the first game, he added "the numbers will quickly come and so will the excitement".
That excitement was evident for much of last year. The expectation of an even better side in 2025 means Morwell East are sure to be a major player from round one.
Fish Creek v Yinnar
The Kangaroos meet the Magpies in a 2024 grand final match-up which looms as the obvious match of the round.
Fish Creek was rumoured to have added to their already extremely strong personnel, which would have set a very high bar for the rest of the league. However, coach Jarrod Walker suggests quite the opposite.
"We have not a huge amount of player movement which helps, we have to just keep the fire burning," Walker said. "We've lost a couple of defenders and an onballer, but we feel as though we've replaced what we've lost and there might be some positional changes."
Looking to round one, he said "the replay of the grand final to start off the year is great".
"The competition is so even and looks like it will be tough work again," Walker said of the season ahead.
There has not been a truer words spoken, as all teams seem to have added to their artillery for the start of 2025.
Yinnar, still smarting from one they feel got away last year, feel well placed for yet another assault.
Yinnar coach Sam McCulloch said they probably felt like a very young side last year.
"We've added some bigger bodies and some depth," McCulloch said. "So although we are still young, they have some support."
"Fish Creek first up is a great way to start and, from all reports, they will be the team to beat again."
A statement can be made on Saturday, and the Magpies will be hoping to do just that as they venture to the home of the premiers. They will watch the unfurling of the Fish Creek premiership flag and then do everything in their power to ruin the party with an away win.
Newborough v MDU
A couple of new coaches start their season at the helm in this match, hopeful of a dream start that can only go the way of one.
The Bulldogs are playing under a familiar face but new senior coach in Pat Frendo, who is excited by what might lay ahead for his Newborough team.
"Personnel of the club has been and is good, but the game style will be key," Frendo said. "That will change a bit with some really good small and quick forwards."
"The intra-club games have shown we are on track and our first round opponent MDU will be a good one, given they too have a new coach and a similar game style," he added.
The Demons have been a solid outfit for a number of seasons now. A fresh face at the helm might be just what they need to take the next step.
MDU coach Rhett Kelly said he felt the side needed some on-field leadership. As a result, they have attracted some players from Leongatha to help fill that role and guide the quality juniors already at the Demons.
"Pre-season has been outstanding, but our focus now is on round one against Newborough on their home deck," Kelly said.
Given the evenness of the MGFNL competition, having a win away from home can be worth gold as we start to dig into a new year. The effort required to beat the Bulldogs at the Kennel is always a massive one.
Boolarra v Stony Creek
The rumour mongers have been talking up the chances of both of these teams on the back of some savvy recruiting and impressive pre-seasons.
If both were to improve, even marginally, the fight for positions near the top of the ladder is sure to be intense.
"I really want to improve fitness, game sense, what to do when we have momentum and, importantly, also what to do when we haven't," Stony Creek coach Troy Shepherdson said. "Our younger kids are coming along with more exposure to senior football, which is important."
"It's Boolarra first up for us," he added. "Getting off to a winning start is crucial for us and them, so it's a great way to start the season."
The Demons started to tire towards the back end of last season. With a little more depth and a little more luck, the club is positive about getting off to a good start on their home ground.
"We identified we needed some key position players after 2024 and we feel as though we've done that, grabbing the signatures of a ruckman, centre half-back and some key mids," Boolarra coach Brendan Mason said. "Our senior numbers have been good."
Mason predicted Saturday's game would be a good challenge, "but the club also has some really good things to look forward to early in the season".
Confidence is key. Starting the season with a reward for months of hard work can build belief and momentum.
At least one team will have that. However, this is another match that is almost impossible to pick.
Toora v Tarwin
Some first-class recruits for both teams will be on show and expected to quickly make an impact for their respective sides.
After what could be called a disappointing season, the Magpies are keen to take a few steps forward under new coach Jai Acardi. However, last year's coach Jack Weston is still very much hands on, which is great news for Toora.
"We identified a couple of areas we needed to improve on, and I think we have," Acardi said. "Gus Gordon as ruckman will be back after basically a year off, and Mick Bezene and Sam Smart as mid-forwards, Lachie Smart key position and Jordan French as a half-back are all great pick ups."
Acardi added the Magpies have "a really tough start to 2025, meeting Tarwin, followed by Fish Creek and Yinnar."
That tough start for Toora will be tested against a new and improved Tarwin side.
The Sharks have secured some of the best players available in Gippsland and will be led by coach Lachie Jones.
"We identified it was mainly forwards that we needed and pressure to keep the ball in there also," Jones said. "Troy Harley and Jordan Staley are great pick ups for us. Nathan McRae as a key position back and a ruckman tops off a good trio of players that engages the squad."
Having suffered a "touch up late last year", he said Toora would get the year off to a good start.
Coaches, players, support staff and communities will be excitedly looking forward to the first round of a long season. Memories will be made, reputations too, but only one premiership is available for the 13 competing clubs.