By Abby Walter

North  Park, Stawell will welcome the first of the 2024 Wimmera league action on Friday for a traditional season-opener of netball and football.

Stawell and Ararat’s Good Friday clash is the clubs’ scheduled round-nine match.

Senior football reigning premier, Ararat, did not lose a home-and-away game last season and will aim to continue into this season with the same strength.

The team will be led by playing coaches Tom Mills and Tom Williamson, who both played in last season’s premiership team.

New signings to the team include midfielder Joe Thomson, defender Sam Cronin, all-rounder Ben McKenzie and Xav Vearing returns to the Rats.

Grand final under-21 best-on-ground winner Henry Shea will also be in the red-and-white and is set to build on last year’s impressive performances.

Club best-and-fairest Cody Lindsay will once again add depth to the team.

The Ararat combinations will test Stawell, however, the Warriors will have a few new tricks up their sleeves this season, too.

Ben Davis is returning to the black-and-red as a midfielder who can transition forward, Josh Linton will be a new, important onballer for the team and Jacob Welsh is also joining Stawell this season. Mitchel Taylor will join the Warriors as a key position player and predominantly plays centre half-back.

Joint league best-and-fairest winner Tom Eckel will coach the team for his sixth year and will continue to play a key role across the oval.

In A Grade netball, the match-up might look different to the previous season.

While Ararat’s team is relatively the same as last year’s, Stawell is running with an A and B Grade squad as they work towards making final decisions about player placements.

Rachel Wood is co-coaching with Jemma Clarkson this season, and while a versatile player, is likely to be seen in the midfield.

The Warriors have welcomed some new recruits to their squad and opposition teams will be keen to see how they will pair up against some fresh faces.

Ararat will be led by Sally Noble who is looking forward to seeing some juniors step up into a senior role this season.

As a team who was on the cusp of finals last season, the players will be hungry for a good first win to get them off to a good start for the season.

Both clubs will ensure players stay on track after Good Friday, as they will not play round one until April 20.

Ararat is scheduled to host Horsham Demons and Stawell will play Horsham Saints at Coughlin Park for the official start of the season.

The entire March 27, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire March 27, 2024 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!