Three sides from the Greater Shepparton region will be battling it out for supremacy in the men’s competition this year, with Shepparton South, Shepparton United and Tatura all in the hunt for the title.
Tatura will be a side sure to light up the competition this year, with the Ibises taking out the pre-season Lightning Cup competition.
The pre-season cup, which included eight teams, saw Tatura overcome Shepparton South with a 3-2 extra time win in the final.
However, Tatura coach Tristan Zito said this result meant little going into the season.
“Everyone’s really excited to get back on the field, so we’re all pumped,” Zito said.
“We’re probably not reading too much into the Lightning Cup, it was obviously good to win those games and to get a good hit-out and minutes in the legs.”
The Ibises have picked up a few young players from the Goulburn Valley Suns this season, with Zac Ferlauto, Jude Crichton and Christian Corso all joining the club.
"We think we’re a good chance to be up there and be thereabouts this year so we want to win it,“ he said.
Fellow Lightning Cup finalist, Shepparton South, is also shaping up well for the season, with new recruits including Jamie De Smit and Greg Nash at coach Rob Harmeston’s disposal.
“We’re looking forward to it, absolutely,” Harmeston said.
“This year we’ve got a bit more depth so we’re hoping to mount a challenge this year.
“As long as we’re really competitive that’s all that matters this year, if we’re competitive we’ll be a game for anyone."
For the region’s other men’s side, Shepparton United, playing-coach Lewis Coyle will be at the helm, with some players from Melbourne set to bolster the squad.
“Everything seems to be going smoothly on the field, off the field there’s obviously been a little bit of a reshape but apart from that all the boys are focussed on the job going forward,” Coyle said.
This reshape included Coyle stepping up to the role of club president, however despite the off-field changes, he was confident the side would hit the ground running.
“I know what my boys can do and I’m looking forward to the season starting and showing everyone else what we can do,” he said.
“We’re confident going forward, I’ve got a good group of players and I think it will be a good season.”
The Men's Central Victorian League One season kicks off on Sunday, with Tatura hosting the Epsom Scorpions at Howley Oval, Shepparton South hosting La Trobe University at McEwen Reserve and Shepparton United travelling to take on Strathfieldsaye Colts United; all games are at 3pm.
The Central Victorian League’s women’s competitions also kick off this weekend, with Shepparton United having a division one side and Tatura playing in division two.
United will join the men’s side travelling to Strathfieldsaye, with the game set to kick off at 11am.
United coach Lucy Ciancio said this year was all about enjoyment for her side.
“I’d just like to see them grow themselves, if we win we win, if we lose we lose, I just want them all to come together.”
United will welcome a trio of new signings on Sunday, with each having good capabilities, while for Tatura, a mix of young and old is set to boost the side.
The Ibises dropped out of the top division under the competition’s restructure this year, with new coach Damian Rosella at the helm for the first time on the weekend.
“We’re really looking forward to it,” Rosella said.
“The first goal is to win more games than we did last year.
“And if we do that then promotion to division one.”
With his first season in charge set to get under way, Rosella was keen to see what it brought.
“It will be a bit of a challenge, we only had one pre-season game so it’s difficult to know everyone’s best positions.”
Tatura will take on Epsom at 11am on Sunday at Howley Oval.
Central Victorian League season predictions
Tatura
Men: First Women: Second
Shepparton United
Men: Fourth Women: Fourth
Shepparton South
Men: Second
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