FOOTBALL in the region returns with a bang tomorrow with the opening round of the newly-formed Limestone Coast Football League.
The competition includes North Gambier, South Gambier, East Gambier, Kalangadoo, Mundulla and Kybybolite, which came together after the Western Border, Mid South Eastern and Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara leagues were cancelled for 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The season promises plenty of action for fans, with the three premiers from each respective league in the mix.
North Gambier was a big winner in the final game of the WBFL in 2019, with a comfortable 39-point grand final victory over West Gambier.
Little has changed in the Tigers’ roster, with the club keen to prove itself without adding extra players to the list.
Coach Justin McConnell is confident his players can stand up against tough opposition, despite some other teams drawing on players left without a club to play for.
South missed the finals last year by percentage only, while East bowed out in the semi finals.
Kalangadoo was equally impressive in 2019, with a 34-point grand final win over Glencoe to claim the MSEFL honours.
Rumours suggest the Magpies may have added to their list, but they have lost incoming coach Dylan Ayton, plus a couple of players due to the cross-border restrictions placed on Victorians playing football in South Australia.
Despite those losses both Ayton and president Adam Box are confident enough work has been done to ensure the Magpies enjoy a fruitful season.
Further north Mundulla claimed a 32-point grand final win over Lucindale in what was an impressive season, with 13 wins from 16 minor-round games.
Kybybolite finished bottom of the ladder after a tough season, but are expected to boast new players in the roster, along with a replacement for its Victorian coach, who cannot cross the border.
Having the three premiers in the competition obviously adds to the fanfare, but more importantly for some clubs it is simply the chance to play football and attract crowds to their venues.
Many have stated it is a chance to keep their playing list together and provide the younger players with the opportunity to continue to grow, without losing too many players to other ventures.
Regardless of the individual club motivations, it promises to be an enticing season, which could well provide a blueprint for the future of the sport in the region, or at least until the coronavirus pandemic is somewhat under control.
There is still some uncertainty regarding Reserves games, with North Gambier and Kybybolite two clubs not expected to run at this stage, but A Grade games are scheduled to kick off at 2.30pm at their respective ovals.
