In just a month the 2024 MGFNL season will kick off with one of the most anticipated round one clashes in many decades.
The replay of 2023 Grand Finalists Fish Creek and Newborough on the Kangaroos home ground is sure to be an emotional one, and not just for the unfurling of their 23 premiership flag.
The reigning premiers whilst still bathing in their grand final success were dealt a near knock out punch when their club rooms and a century of memories were burnt to the ground anonymously by those that lacked heart, reason, real friendship, camaraderie and probably no real purpose in life.
As many looked on to contemplate the response by the states most successful country football club, the sporting fraternity were climbing over themselves and the Fish Creek faithful to lend a hand where they could.
As impressive as the Kangaroos premiership was, the response, resilience, and hard work in the club's darkest hour was so much more inspiring than most will ever see on a football field.
Newborough coach, Craig Skinner under no illusions as to what his Bulldogs side will face, but at the same time excited by a new season.
Craig Skinner "we're really looking forward to the season starting and the footy to get going with our first game at Fish Creek."
Mirboo North was another that has faced off season challenges, none more so than a freak storm that caused considerable damage to their club, couple that with the retirements of long serving President Joe Piper and the resignation of respected coach Peter Mongta, and there was every reason to believe that Tigers would be looking at the 2024 season with some trepidation.
However, new president Anthony McCarthy quickly oversaw the appointment of new coach Damian Turner and in the blink of an eye, Mirboo North have quickly turned their attention to Boolarra in the opening round.
Big improvers in season 2023, Thorpdale have flown under the radar in the preseason,under inspiring coach Jason Winderlick, but the rumour mill is hot, that as good as the Blues were last year, you can expect them to be even better and a major player as they kick off the new season with an away game against an honest MDU side.
Foster have always developed elite junior talent and the most recent example of that is the AFL listing of young prodigy Zane Dursma who will no doubt be missed, but it also gives opportunity to another of many talented youngsters from Foster.
Their first round opponents in Morwell East, will come out of an impressive pre season confident of being a major player in 2024 but also under no illusions as to how tough the competition will be even after such an even playing field last year.
Paul Henry, Hawk's coach "I think it will be even closer again, from what I've heard some of the sides, those at the top have got even stronger, the Thorpdale, Fish Creek and our first round opponent Foster so everyone is looking to get better play finals and win premierships and thats what its all about."
In normal circumstances talk of finals prior to the season start might seem premature but the fact is as 2023 proved, every game , every single game from round one can define a year.
Hill End will be looking to climb off the bottom portion of the ladder when they host Stony Creek, but the Lions, even away from home are anticipated to be a tough team to crack with Coach Chris VerBoon now having a season under his belt and a clearer picture of what his side needs.
Yinnar are rarely not involved at the business end of the year, but the Magpies missed a finals campaign by the barest possible margin in 2023 and will be wanting to right a few wrongs as they clash with Toora on their home deck.
The clash of the Magpies is anticipated to be closer this season than last, with Toora seemingly having put together a stronger unit both on and off field for the start of a new year.
MGFNL was quite possibly the closet most even country competition in Victoria last year and everything points to it being similar for 2024 - Footy is nearly back!!