By ADEM SARICAOGLU
NEW Bacchus Marsh coach Doug Hawkins says his side’s Ballarat Football League season opener at Melton South on Saturday night will be a “monster clash”.
The game at Melton Recreation Reserve will be played under lights after Melton and Darley both hit the road in a bumper Saturday of footy before round one officially kicks off on 20 April.
Hawkins’ Cobras finished eighth in 2012 while Melton South landed just one spot higher.
“It’s going to be a strange environment for us being Melton (South’s) home game, and they’re a very good side,” Hawkins said.
“We rate them very highly, so this will be like a bit of an eight-pointer.
“Isn’t it funny – a mini-final in (the first game).
“It sounds strange but because we’re both around that similar mark, it’s a really big game for both clubs, and I think it’s pretty important to start well.”
Panthers coach Mathew Sutton agrees it will be a big clash.
“No doubt there’s going to be a lot of feeling out there for Doug,” Sutton said of Melton South’s first-up opponent.
“He’s going to be fantastic for them as a coach.
“They’re going to have a lot of feeling wanting to do well by him, so our blokes have to be switched on and ready to go, that’s for sure.”
Both sides boast youthful squads, and while Hawkins told Star finals will be on the Cobras’ agenda, Sutton simply wants to see improvement.
“We’ve got a lot of kids that’ll come in and play senior football straight off the bat, and some of them are really talented,” Sutton said.
“This is probably the best crop of kids I’ve seen coming into the side this year.
“It’s an exciting time for the club, but we’ve got to back it up.”
Meanwhile Melton has been summoned to the daunting task of travelling to Sunbury on Saturday.
Bloods coach Bob Heaney hopes his side will be as competitive as neighbouring clubs Melton South, Bacchus Marsh and Darley this season, despite managing just three wins and narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon in 2012.
However with most league pundits tipping reigning premier Sunbury to again set the benchmark this year, Heaney isn’t expecting any miracles on Saturday.
“Last time we played Sunbury they beat us by about a hundred points, so we just want to compete and earn some respect back in the competition,” Heaney said.
Saturday’s other game sees Darley travelling up the highway to face Sebastopol.
