Watch out for Southern Roos

The unfurling of a 2018 premiership flag at Balmoral on Saturday represents a warning to the rest of Horsham District football competition.

Harrow-balmoral colours fluttering in the breeze will signal that the Southern Roos again mean business.

Harrow-balmoral, which kicks off the season in a grand-final replay against Kalkee, enters the season as red-hot favourites to win back-to-back premierships.

The Roos are likely to be tall, slick and hard at it with few if any gaps across the lines, boasting plenty of depth to take on all-comers this season.

Kalkee will taste a touch of Southern Roos hospitality first up, a tough assignment for a team undergoing a few changes and likely to throw a talented young crop of players into the deep end.

Kalkee is unlikely to be able to match the home side in the air, which means coach Stuart Farr will be impressing on players to clear the ball into space and maintain possession for as long as possible.

The opening round promises to unveil plenty about the competition and every game involves levels of intrigue.

The round will provide everyone with a look at a raft of rule changes that have come in this season.

Regional officials have asked everyone from players and officials to fans to make sure they are across the new rules. It will be the first time district umpires will be officially adjudicating under the new guidelines.

Another game likely to generate plenty of interest first up will be at Stawell’s North Park, where perennial mixed-bag team Swifts meet Natimuk United.

Natimuk United is promising plenty of oomph

in attack this season but would be wary of the Baggies, especially first up deep in enemy territory.

Edenhope-apsley seems to have more than a handy formula in getting the best from players and will get its first season challenge against Pimpinio.

The Saints are a west Wimmera representative unit and when at home, like they are this weekend, are hard to beat.

Footy followers will also keep a close eye on Pimpinio fortunes this year.

The Tigers have been contemporary stragglers and need early success to build on confidence stores for the rest of the season.

Building momentum

Another eye-catching game might evolve at Laharum’s Cameron Oval where Laharum will take on expected mover Noradjuha-quantong.

Again, early success for both these sides will be critical in gaining momentum. Losses at the start of a season have a habit of coming back to bite teams at the crunch later in the year.

And then there is a clash between Rupanyup and Taylors Lake at Rupanyup, with plenty of expectation surrounding both camps this year.

The Panthers, a sole town-based team, shoulder the weight of support of an enthusiastic district that hates having also-ran status. They are likely to hit the ground running.

Pre-season feeling at Taylors Lake has also been positive and fans will get insight into whether discussion surrounding an influx of personnel and talent will bear fruit this season.

The opening round provides a clean slate for all clubs and the prospect of fine weather is likely to draw people from an off-season slumber.

Jeparit-rainbow will get to assess the fallout from the opening round as a bystander.

The Storm has a bye.