A REMATCH of last season’s grand finalists at Nyah highlights Saturday’s opening round in the Radio 3SH-backed Central Murray senior football league season.
Nyah Nyah West United has home ground advantage as it tackles reigning premier Woorinen from 2.30pm.
When these clubs met last September it was the Tigers who roared to a 12-goal victory against the Demons in the grand final.
Tim Free is again in charge as Woorinen chases back-to-back premierships.
Nyah Nyah West United is being coached by Corey Daniels.
Key players for Woorinen include rover Jye Barry, Henry Thompson in the centre, Taylem Stubbs and Jose Miliado in attack, Ben Booth and Oscar Lewis in defence.
The Demons will look for big games from ruckman Jack Ogle, ruck-rover Brayden Bigham, Ethan Saville in the centre, Nash Richman and Joel Walsh in defence, and John Summerhayes across the half-forward line.
Koondrook Barham will tackle Hay at Barham.
The Marcus Demaria-coached Koondrook Barham meets an opponent which marked a 52-point win against Tyntynder in Round Zero played on March 28.
Players to watch for Koondrook Barham include Roy George in the centre, ruck-rover Harry Bremner, Kye Attwell and Patrick Goble in attack, and key defenders Ryan Bassett and Reagan Hamilton.
The Mick Cattanach and James Moran-coached Hay made a confident start in its Central Murray debut.
Best for the Lions against Tyntynder at Swan Hill’s Alan Garden Reserve were Tom Baneulos, Harry Loughnan and Tom Sheldrick.
The Lions’ leaders are Joel Crocker and Fergus Cattanach.
It’s a new league for both, but Moulamein and Murrabit will renew their rivalry from Golden Rivers days at Moulamein Recreation Reserve.
Hayden Dalitz and Brodie Tonkin have teamed up to coach the Moulamein Swans.
Players to watch for the Swans include ruckman Heath Moloney, Adam Curry and Brett Kennedy in attack, midfielder Trae Atkinson, and defenders Mark Drotsky and Xander Hartland.
A premiership-winning player with Hawthorn in 2008 and premiership-winning coach at Golden Square, Rick Ladson has taken on the challenge of coaching Murrabit with Jack Shannahan.
Players to watch for the Murrabit Blues include Bryden Morison in the centre, ruckman Mitch Laursen, rover Cruz Jolliffe, Sam Copland and Ben Gillingham in attack.
Lake Boga will be on home turf against Cohuna Kangas.
Huge test for the Dean Helmers-coached Lake Boga against a Cohuna line-up determined to bounce back from consecutive defeats in last year’s finals series.
Highlight of this match will be in the centre where the Magpies have the skilful Braden Padmore up against Cohuna coach Jack Geary.
Key players for Lake Boga include ruck-rover Ryan Fox, Rex Hickman and Jayden Lonergan in attack, Patrick Bryan and Jordan Reardon in defence.
Cohuna’s main targets in the forward 50m arc will be Lachlan English and Mitch Treacy.
The Kangas’ line-up includes Tom Toma, Brady and Noah Hore, and ruckman Chris Anderson.
Mallee Eagles will be in their nest at Lalbert against Balranald.
The Harry Allen -coached Eagles have gained gun ruckman Hamish Hosking from Birchip-Watchem.
Key players in Mallee’s squad include Cody Henness, Darcy Hourigan, Tom McGregor and Zac O’Meara.
Balranald is being coached by Brent Macleod.
The Kangaroos’ line-up includes Ben Fuller and Les Bodinnar in attack, Ian Fuller and Jake Lockhart in midfield, and Toby Lay, Jack and Tom Salau teaming up in defence.
Kerang hosts Wandella at Riverside Park in the clash of the Blues and Bombers.
The Brad Pay-coached Kerang has Archer Dibsdale and Ian Fisher in attack, Scott Pay rucking, Hugh Bremner in the centre, and Rylee Gitsham and Tom Hetherington in defence.
Wandella will be keen to mark a winning start in a new league.
The Justin Robinson-coached Bombers have Nathan Boysen as captain, John Cooper and Jarred Schlitz as vice-captains.
Players to watch in the red and black include ruckman Darcy Ramage, Laing Waddingham and Matt Wilkinson.
Tooleybuc Manangatang will tackle Tyntynder at Tooleybuc.
The Robbie McComb and Nayef Hamad-coached Tooleybuc Manangatang has Austin Hodge, Connor and Kallum Hazlett as key targets in attack.
McComb will start in the centre and be flanked by Rydar Morris and Rylee Taylor.
The Saints’ defence will be led by Xavier Brenton-Reed and Lochlan Prentice.
Tyntynder is being coached by Darcy Bibby.
Key players for the Bulldogs include ruckman Josh Potter, Elia Ware and Sam Bull across half-forward, Cayden Crowe in the centre, and defenders Elliot Broad and Josh Dwyer.
It’s a rest for Swan Hill and Ultima who met on March 28 in Round Zero.
The Jason Murphy-coached Swan Hill won 119-62 against the Joel Donnan-coached Ultima Storm.