Ballan, Carngham-Linton and Daylesford will be the first Central Highlands Football League clubs to take their pre-seasons to the next level with practice matches.
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Each is set to kick off on Saturday, March 2.
New coach Harley Bongart will lead Ballan into battle against the Rockbank-based Western Rams, Carngham-Linton will face Trentham and Daylesford take on Woodend-Hesket.
Newlyn has the most intriguing practice match schedule.
The Cats have created plenty of hype by securing a quality array of recruits, including new coach Jarrett Giampaolo and his Redan teammate Liam Hoy, and former Western Bulldogs player Kieran Collins from talent.
They will miss former coach Marcus Darmody and Callum Currie, but they will get one of the best guides of all as to whether they can build on eighth place last season in hit-outs against CHFL rivals Springbank and Bungaree.
The Tigers and Demons finished in the top four last season and are expected to be contenders again.
If Newlyn is to take the next step and challenge the top echelon of the competition, it must measure up against the likes of Springbank and Bungaree.
PRACTICE MATCHES
BALLAN
- Saturday, March 2 - Western Rams
- Saturday, March 16 - Geelong West
- Saturday, March 23 - Birchip Watchem
BEAUFORT
- Thursday, March 14 - Talbot
- Saturday, March 23 - SMW Rovers
- Saturday, April 6 - Rupanyup
BUNGAREE
- Saturday, March 23 - Newlyn
- Saturday, April 6 - Ararat Eagles
BUNINYONG
- Saturday, March 16 - Creswick
- Saturday, March 23 - Daylesford
CARNGHAM-LINTON
- Saturday, March 2 - Trentham
- Saturday, March 16 - to be confirmed
- Saturday, March 23 - Maryborough Giants
CLUNES
- Saturday, March 16 - North Shore
- Saturday, March 23 - Talbot
CRESWICK
- Saturday, March 16 - Buninyong
- Saturday, March 23 - to be confirmed
DAYLESFORD
- Saturday, March 2 - Woodend-Hesket
- Saturday March 16 - Wyndhamvale
- Saturday, March 23 - Buninyong
DUNNSTOWN
- Wednesday, March 6 - Redan
- Saturday, April 23 - East Geelong
- Thursday, April 4 - Ballarat Swans
GORDON
- Saturday, March 16 - Waubra
- Saturday, March 23 - Bannockburn
HEPBURN
- Saturday, March 16 - Maryborough
- Saturday, March 23 - Port Melbourne Colts
LEARMONTH
- Saturday, March 16 - Natte Bealiba
- Saturday, March 23 - Belmont
NEWLYN
- Saturday, March 16 - Springbank
- Saturday, March 23 - Bungaree
ROKEWOOD-C'HAP
- Saturday, March 23 - Geelong West
- Thursday, April 4 - Lake Wendouree
SKIPTON
- Saturday, March 23 - Belmont
- Saturday, April 6 - Horsham Demons
SPRINGBANK
- Saturday, March 16 - Newlyn
- Saturday, March 23 - Horsham Saints
WAUBRA
- Wednesday, March 6 - Carisbrook
- Saturday, March 16 - Gordon
The Central Highlands football and netball league seasons begin on Saturday, April 13.
- For all the off-season CHFL player movement news go to thecourier.com.au
