With its season still weeks away, Ballarat City FC's toughest test might come before it begins.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The club will play a preseason match on Saturday against A-League Club Western United, which have a bye this weekend.
It will be the final match for United before the club travells to Ballarat next Saturday to play the Brisbane Roar at Mars Stadium.
Ballarat City head coach James Robinson said the affair would be a great opportunity for his players to gain experience against a high-level football team.
"We've got a good relationship with Western United and this is an opportunity for us to have a practice game on their weekend off," he said.
"It's a relationship builder and an opportunity for our boys to play against A-league players."
The practice match will mark the first hit-out of the year for City, which is gearing up for the the National Premier League three competition, commencing in March.
Despite the talent disparity, Robinson expected it to be a competitive contest.
"When you put players on a pitch with a ball and two goals it's always going to be a competitive hit-out," he said.
"We'll have a real keen eye on the details and structure we've been working on in preseason.
"We'll manage the players' load, but we'll give everybody an opportunity to go and impress."
Last week The Courier reported Western United intended to base talent-ID squads around Ballarat and Geelong to support the creation of the club's Y-League program, set to come online this year.
Robinson said Saturday's practice would be an opportunity for Ballarat players to show the club what they're about.
"I think it's in the forefront of a lot of the players' minds because a lot of players have aspirations to be the best they can be," he said.
The practice match will take place at 10am at Western United's training facility in Caroline Springs.
It will mark the first of two matches played on the day. Ballarat City's under-20 side will play Knox City FC on Saturday afternoon.
