After falling one step short of a second senior football premiership in their quarter-century history last year, the Ararat Eagles will resume their quest for more silverware this weekend.

On Saturday the Eagles will host fellow 2025 finalist Penshurst – one of only two sides to beat them during last season’s home-and-away campaign, but a team they defeated by six goals in the first week of finals – in a blockbuster round-one clash at Alexandra Oval.

Ararat has covered the losses of a few departures from last season’s squad with recruits like midfielder Jett Hill from Anakie in the Geelong and District league and former Ararat Rats premiership player Flynn Toner.

The Bombers should present a tough first-up test for the Eagles, giving an early indication of where both teams are positioned in this year’s finals race.

Also expected to be among the finals mix again is Tatyoon, which fell to the Eagles in an epic one-point preliminary final last season.

The Hawks will kick off their campaign with a home game against Woorndoo-Mortlake on Saturday.

The Tigers finished mid-table with an 8-8 record, but held a 20-point lead on the Hawks in the first half of an early-season meeting last year before succumbing in the second half.

The Hawks, under returning coach Andy Challis, have added Arthur ‘Alfie’ Armstrong to their squad after a recent stint with the VFL’s Northern Bullants, while midfielder Matt James will be another player to watch after winning two GDFNL best-and-fairest awards with Corio.

Finishing further down the ladder last season were Great Western and Moyston-Willaura, which will both play road games this weekend.

The Pumas have the unenviable task of taking on reigning premier Lismore-Derrinallum, with the Demons set to unfurl last season’s premiership flag in front of their home crowd.

With a healthy list of recruits, the Demons have positioned themselves well for back-to-back premiership success, and Moyston-Willaura will be hoping its own recruits – including forward Darren Pederson and utility Jade Burton – can help limit the damage.

Great Western will also be out for improvement in 2026 after a 10th-place finish last season.

The Lions will travel to Dunkeld to play the Glenthompson-Dunkeld Rams, who finished fourth last season but were eliminated in the first week of the finals by Tatyoon.

With a new coaching duo in Adam Bonner and Tom Randone, and recruits such as Dan Ladgrove, Brent Norfolk and B-Jay Enriquez, along with the return of several former clubmen, the Lions could be positioned to make an early statement with a win against the Rams.

Other round-one games will see Wickliffe-Lake Bolac hosting SMW Rovers at Lake Bolac and Caramut at home against Hawkesdale-Macarthur.

– Colin MacGillivray

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