By Nathan Dole
A NEW-LOOK Tooleybuc-Manangatang takes on Kerang in Saturday’s completion to the first round of senior footy in the Central Murray Football Netball League season.
The Saints and Blues will clash at Tooleybuc from 2.30pm.
There’s plenty of new faces in the Tooleybuc Manangatang team as the club hits back from a 2-14 run and 11th place on the ladder in last season’s 3SH-backed competition.
It’s a big test against the reigning premier.
Key recruits for the Saints include Tim Auckland, Trey Clark and Ethan Goldfinch from Tasmania.
Tooleybuc Manangatang has also signed midfielder Blake Grant who played for Kinborough in Tasmania and Southport Sharks in Queensland.
Others to watch in the red, white and black are Kwaby Boakye and Josh Williams.
The Troy Coates-coached Kerang welcomes gun ruckman Nick Lang who racked up more than 250 games with Kangaroo Flat.
A powerful line-up from Kerang is led by Josh Nitschke and includes Ryan Gillingham, Michael Dalrymple, Martin Kelly and Nicholas Pay.
The Blues will be without Bryce Curnow and Nick Stagg who have joined Sandhurst.
Mallee Eagles take on Lake Boga at Lalbert.
The Eagles will look to big games from the likes of Beau Bennett, Ayden Tessari, Toby Sheahan, Ethan Pinchen, Harry Allen and Zac O’Meara.
The Lake Boga attack will include David Gourdis who played four matches for Richmond and is a dual premiership player with Keilor.
A crucial match-up for Mallee will be who opposes former Essendon and Port Adelaide forward Angus Monfries.
Other players to watch for the Magpies include Jayden Lonergan, Ricky Wild, Lachlan Burns and Matt Taverna.
Tyntynder and Balranald do battle at Alan Garden Reserve in Swan Hill.
A 9-7 record meant Tyntynder finished last season in fourth place before a four-goal loss to Lake Boga in the elimination final.
Key players for Tyntynder include ruckman Hugh Broad, captain Elia Ware, Roy George in the centre, Isaiah Bull and Brock Storer in defence.
Balranald has named Jaxon and Jydon Neagle on the half-back line, Matthew Neagle as rover, Kobe Lloyd in the centre, and Ben Fuller at full-forward.
Nyah Nyah West United faces Koondrook Barham at Nyah.
The Koondrook Barham line-up includes ruckman Mitch Christensen from Huntly.
Other key players for the River Raiders are captain Patrick Goble, Kye Attwell, Colin McVeigh, Domenico Cirillo, and Jack Thrum.
Swan Hill has the bye.
The season kicked off Good Friday at Cohuna where Woorinen Tigers scored a 68-23 win against the Kangas.