MOONEE VALLEY v COBURG DISTRICTS
YES, this is very early to go with it… but is this a grand final preview?
They’re promising big things down at Ormond Park and while we don’t yet know if this year is going to be their chance of going all the way, the Fog is certainly in the conversation.
They’ll be the first club to get a look at the might of Coburg Districts and they’ll be glad it’s at home, where coach Shanon Carroll recently told essendondfl.com.au he believes away teams will struggle to adapt to.
Reports are the ground is quite hard so speed will be a factor in this one, if weather holds up in the lead-up to game day.
From Ned Wilson to Luke Vesnaver, some of the division’s stars will be on display in what will be an early indication of how the premiership race will shape up this season.
NORTHERN SAINTS v ROXBURGH PARK
This is also a plausible grand final match-up come September.
The Northern Saints did well for themselves over the summer with three of their 2013 premiership players returning to the club.
Roxburgh Park also had a good summer and improved their list with the acquisitions of Hadfield premiership players Ferras Merhi, Sammy Saad and Nader Nasra and the re-acquisition of sharp-shooter, Luke Capuano.
If both teams come to Charles Mutton Reserve at full-strength then we have a genuine arm wrestle on our hands.
These two met three times last season, with the Saints claiming wins in each of the last two games.
EAST SUNBURY v HADFIELD
The Hawks will mark their return to Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 with a tough encounter against East Sunbury at Lancefield Road.
Throughout their short history, the Thunder haven’t entered these sorts of games as a favourite but they do here, so it’ll be interesting to see how they handle increased expectation.
With Kamen Ogilvie returning and a swathe of young and exciting midfielders raring to go, East Sunbury will be hoping to run a new-look Hadfield side off its feet.
The Hawks will be a complete unknown to begin with under new coach Brett Pitts and if they struggle in this one, there’ll be plenty of doubt cast over the Hawks for Season 2018.
Both sides have a point to prove in this one and the loser might just be under some early-season pressure.
