Ballarat announced a 28-man squad that will take on Bendigo this Saturday while the Central Highlands’ 29-man line-up prepare for its clash with Southern League.

All players will train this week in the lead-up to their respective matches and those sessions will go a long way to determining the final teams. Coach Tim Beacham said the squad was one of the best ones he had coached in his seven years at the helm.

The side will have six players with senior football experience.

Beacham felt the group had jelled together well as it looks to implement a run and carry brand of football.

“I’ve been really impressed with this group, they’ve picked it up really well,” Beacham said.

“It’s one of the better squads I’ve had...the boys jelled well.

“The squad that we’ll put together will be a fairly strong squad. We’ll be looking to attack rather than defend. That’s my philosophy as a coach – the best form of defence is attack and we’ll look to create opportunities.”

In a recent practice match against Riddell, Ballarat won 12.13 (85) to 0.9 (9).