Mininera teams stand primed

With what has seemed like a long off-season, Mininera and District Football League is finally back.

The 2021 season left everyone wanting, based on the way in which it finished, with the finals called off due to COVID-19 lockdowns.

Woorndoo-mortlake was senior minor premier for the 2021 season, finishing on top of the ladder, while Lismore-derrinallum took out the reserves and Penshurst the under 16.5s.

All three teams progressed through the 11-game season undefeated.

Now, with the first uninterrupted pre-season in three years, everyone is excited and hopeful we all might get a full season.

With plenty of clearances both in and out of the league, all eyes will be firmly on the opening round to see who has made the right moves.

Lismore-derrinallum will be the first to take on the reigning minor premier when they head to Tigerland on Saturday.

Facing Woorndoo-mortlake at home will be a big ask but the Demons will be poised and ready for the challenge.

Penshurst starts the season hosting Ararat Eagles.

The Eagles were the big movers in the 2021 season, turning around their losing culture to be placed and poised to play finals.

But their efforts were unfortunately cut short and they will be keen to back it up this season and get finals games under their belt.

SMW Rovers will host Great Western in the opening round.

Although the Bulldogs are without their best-and-fairest winner Jesse Sardo and the Lions without 2021 league leading goal-kicker Damon Folkes, both teams are keen to assess where they sit for the season and are ready for action.

In wrapping up the opening round of games, Wickliffe-lake Bolac plays Caramut, Tatyoon hosts Glenthompson-dunkeld, and Moyston-willaura meets Hawkesdale Macarthur.