The two neighbouring towns have a strong and competitive history.
In their clash last year, the Rovers were the favoured side but Mathoura rallied to take the win - 14.09 (93) to 09.11 (63).
For the losing side, Deni’s best were Joe Hay, Cameron Wills, Brendan Hope, Tyson Willis, Allan Bond and Logan Ives.
The Rovers also had a number of multiple goalscorers, coach Alex Hay was regular best with two, Tyson Willis chipped in with two himself and young gun Baxter Cowley was also a two-goal contributor.
For Mathoura, an eight-goal performance from Aaron Burns made it particularly hard for the local side to fight back into the game.
As well as Burns, the Mathoura on-ball crew and others provided contributions to the win, players named in the best for Mathoura were Andrew Evans, Jack McGowan, Lachlan Carmody, Aaron Burns, Sam McHale and David Hand.
Although previous match-ups are often put under the microscope, the previous encounter was early in season 2024 and much has changed since.
Both clubs have player changes, with the Rovers welcoming Ryan Hudson and Rivah Karpany from the Fitzroy Stars Football Netball Club in Melbourne.
The Rovers have also brought back favourite son and former best-and-fairest Rhys McCulloch, Rams convert Jayden Pitts, former junior Nick Hay and James Gilligan, another former best-and-fairest winner from the club.
Rovers senior football coach Alex Hay said the season opening game against Mathoura means a lot to the refined side.
“This will be a huge game for us, and we will treat it as such after what feels like quite a long pre-season,” she said.
“Every year we come in with a level of optimism about what we can achieve and by adding to our list and having put in quite a bit of work, which we are really happy with.”
“Starting the year positively is always the aim.”
Despite the unknown of the Mathoura opposition, Hay said he is looking for the Rovers footballers to develop a consistency in approach this year.
“Last year, against Mathoura, we probably let ourselves down a bit. But having said that, they played a really solid brand of footy.
“We will expect the same coming into the weekend, especially with it being the first round.”
“While we've worked hard to modify a few things structurally, the consistent message going into this year, and this week in particular, will be just to bring the effort.
“It seems relatively simple, but the difference between our best and worst last year was start and mainly on the back of what sort of pressure and effort we applied, which we would like to see be far more consistent this season.
“The result last year won't necessarily be a factor, although it is a reminder that if you're off by 10 per cent against any opposition then they will make you pay.
“They possessed the ball really well, particularly in the second half, so I'd like to see the shortcomings of that style rectified, but there is just so much that can change with both sides in that period of time, so we really can only focus on the things that are in our control.”
“With that being said, the players are just so keen to get back amongst it.
“There is a real buzz around the club at the moment. We feel like last year, as a football side, we weren't far off having a real impact, and we've added some class and experience to our list, which should help.”
“Alongside that, the netballers had some outstanding success, and they haven't taken a backwards step, so there is an air of optimism about the whole club which is exciting.”
Mathoura president Blake Keech said despite a slower start to the season than expected, the Timbercutters are buoyed by their own signings and excited for the season ahead.
“We did start late, having a complete change over of the committee, as well as coaching changes across the board,” Keech said.
“It is all going well in the lead up to the season; I think we are in a better spot than I thought we could have been at this stage.
“Going into the weekend is a bit of unknown with all the new faces, but to have a club coach with Adam Bourke’s experience, with VFL experience ... we are lucky at Mathoura.”
“The plan is always to be competitive, but Adam wants to develop the juniors. He wants to see the club grow and is very committed to developing the whole club.
“It is a bit of the unknown, and we are still recruiting to this point.
“I am sure if we stick to our game plan we could be competitive with Deni, and part of our goal is to be competitive for longer. We have our key indicators and want to meet those.”
Bourke has taken on a non-playing role with the ‘Cutters.
He has previous experience playing for Nagambie, Ridell Creek and even spent some time with Frankston Dolphins in the VFL.
Junior games of football begin at Mathoura’s recreation reserve from 9.30am, with the fourths' football sides.
The thirds are scheduled for 10.40am, reserves at 12.30pm and the seniors from 2pm.
In netball, the under-11s and under-15s play from 9.30am, under-13s and under-17s from 10.40am, C-reserve and B-grade at 12pm and A-grade and C-grade at 1.30pm.
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