by Davyd Reid
Match-ups between season 2024 finalists and the much-anticipated return of Bunyip to the competition headline a bumper opening round of Ellinbank and District football.
LANG LANG will host Longwarry in a highly anticipated match between two sides that faced off in an elimination final last year.
Both sides look set to be among the front runners this season, Lang Lang adding to its mix as the Tigers look to push further up the ladder after a return to finals last season.
The Crows, despite losing key midfielder Cooper Brown to Beaconsfield, reached the preliminary final last season and have also added to their team, led by the return of Russell Lehmann.
Longwarry enter off a strong pre-season, but Lang Lang will take confidence at home in a clash that could go either way.
BULN BULN host Ellinbank in another clash between two season 2024 finalists.
While some have predicted Buln Buln to slip slightly to the mid-pack following some key departures following recent premiership success, the Lyrebirds come in off a solid pre-season preparation.
Ellinbank look to improve on a season 2024 straight set exit, having added the likes of Ryan Taylor and Jordan and Clayton Kingi from Drouin.
The talent in might be enough for the Eagles to clinch this one in a tight contest.
BUNYIP'S highly anticipated return to the league comes against a Trafalgar side expected to improve.
The Bloods missed the five last year but will hope to challenge for finals again under new coach Shane Brewster.
Kyle Beveridge from Warragul Industrials and Lachlan McGrath from Moe, along with Danny Brewster, will only add to Trafalgar's depth.
The Bulldogs enter as a bit of an unknown commodity, coming across from the West Gippsland competition, with all eyes on how they will fare in their opening match up.
NILMA-DARNUM will get an early indicator of how much they have improved, hosting season 2024 grand finalists Neerim-Neerim South.
The Bombers, who are looking to improve from within in their quest to push up the ladder under coach Paul Alger, will get a good early indicator against the Cats.
Cats co-coaches Kody Wilson and Tom Muir hinted at a tweaked game plan, but talent added should tip the contest in favor of the visitor.
The Cats' forward line should prove a handful, having picked up Lachlan Bambridge and Mason McGarrity.
YARRAGON are also tipped to be big improvers and will be favoured to account for a young Magpies outfit when they travel to Poowong.
The Panthers have recruited strongly, led by ex-North Melbourne, Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney ruckman Braydon Preuss.
It's the type of contest the Panthers will need to get the job done to push towards a finals berth.
NYORA and Catani will meet in what should be another competitive match up.
With both sides finishing at the lower end of the ladder in 2024, both the Saints and Blues will relish an opportunity to get their season off to a positive start under their respective new coaches.