The Eagles will play their first proper home match of the season. Sure it is against Learmonth, and few would give the home team much chance against the Lakies. But the return to Gordon means so much more than just four points against a top team.

Gordon coach Craig Baker explains:

"Talking to the president it would be worth an extra $2500 for us in terms of getting people from Gordon to the match and the extra money at the canteen and bar," he says.

"As for the footy side of it, everyone talks about having a home ground advantage. And because our oval is small and an unusual shape, I think it makes a big difference. On a ground like that we can bottle it up a bit compared with the wide open spaces of Bungaree.

"I'd say if we were playing Hepburn or Waubra it mightn't matter but against anyone else I'd say our home ground is probably worth three or four goals a match to us."

It's been a tough start to the season for the Eagles after an even tougher 2007.

Because the netball courts weren't ready for round one this year the club was forced to swap home fixtures with Hepburn. Then, for the next home game, against Waubra, Gordon wanted to play its football at home and its netball at Bungaree. But Waubra insisted the footballers and netballers be at the same venue, so the Eagles were forced to have a home match at the "neutral" Bungaree oval.

"It was like playing away because we had to pack everything up to take with us, like food and drink,

which was a big stress on the workers at the club," Baker says.

But, in general, there is a much happier feel at Gordon compared with last year.

The cricket club, an offshoot of the football club, re-formed over the summer and then won a premiership in its first season.

Baker says there is a very upbeat feel at Gordon, despite the 0-4 start to the season, with winnable

games ahead.

"The spirit is good. Our reserves coach Adam Ludbrook last year had to ring around every week to make sure we had enough numbers. He hasn't had to do that once this year," Baker says.

"We've got Springbank away and Dunnstown away, and then back at home against Ballan. Everyone at the club thinks we are a chance to post some wins."

Baker has also been watching with interest his former club, Darley, which is the big improver in the Ballarat Football League. He is delighted with the Devils' improvement.

"I watch my two kids play over at Darley juniors and still have a lot of friends over there," he says.

"I am a life member there and played in a premiership side and coached in one so I still keep in touch

when I can."