By Callum Ludwig
There is a staggered start to the league season for the OEFN Premier Division, with teams playing on Saturday 15 April, Saturday 22 April and even Sunday 23 April for the opening round.
Reigning Premiers Narre Warren will head east to face Pakenham away from home on Saturday 15 April, looking to start off their premiership defence with a strong showing. The Magpies lost only one game all season last year and sat atop of the ladder at season’s end, while the Lions just missed out on finals by a single win, finishing in sixth place.
The two sides also met in round one last year, with Narre Warren coming out on top 15.19, 109 to 10.13, 73 with a five-goal to one-third quarter doing most of the damage for the Pies at home at Kalora Park.
When they faced off in round ten, Narre asserted their dominance with a commanding 7.2, 44 to 20.12, 132 win away from home.
Olinda Ferny Creek will host Upwey Tecoma on 22 April, looking to push for finals once again after last year’s fourth-placed finish, while the Tigers will like a stronger start to the season to push themselves towards finals contention after a seventh-placed finish in 2022.
It was a tight encounter in round two at Upwey Tecoma’s home ground, with the Bloods just coming out on top with a 12.8, 80 to 13.15, 93 win.
Olinda Ferny Creek gave the Tigers no such hope when they met again in round 11, dominating the contest in an 18.16, 124 to 9.4, 58 win.
Monbulk will welcome Woori Yallock, with both teams just missing out on finals and the premiership respectively last season.
In round three of the 2022 season, the Hawks picked up a thrilling seven-point win away from home to stun the Tigers, the final score reading 13.6, 84 to 13.13, 91.
Woori Yallock did make amends in round 14 however, defeating Monbulk 7.18, 60 to 12.11, 83.
It’s a local rivalry for the final fixture of the round on Sunday 23 April, with Mt Evelyn hosting Wandin in what is certain to be a fiery game. Last year a crucial win for Mt Evelyn over Officer three weeks from the season’s end saved them from relegation as they finished eighth, while Wandin was a clear third and lost to Woori Yallock in a tight preliminary final.
The Dogs have some massive recruits in 2023 and will look to emulate or even better their results over the Rovers in 2022, winning 15.14, 104 to 10.18, 78 in round one and 12.9, 81 to 22.21, 153 in round 10 of the 2022 season.
Division One Premiers in 2022 Gembrook-Cockatoo have replaced Officer but the Brookers will have a bye in round one and the Brookers will take the opportunity to assess the form of their new adversaries before they take on Monbulk at home in round two.
