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The championships kicked off last weekend with Murray beating Western Border by 119 points to win Pool C and book a spot in Pool B in the 2010 competition.

Teams in Pools A and B will play two 20-minute halves, while the Pool D match will be a full game.

Pool A champions Ovens and Murray started its title defence last night against newcomers Hampden in Shepparton, while hosts the Goulburn Valley played Ballarat.

In today's matches, Ballarat will play Hampden and Goulburn Valley meets Ovens and Murray, while tomorrow Goulburn Valley and Hampden clash and Ovens and Murray plays Ballarat.

Ovens and Murray coach Corey Lambert said his side was quietly confident it could win the bi-annual competition.

"It means everything (to win)," he said.

But Lambert did not expect any easy matches.

"We think they're all going to be as tough as each other," he said.

"We've got a lot of quality players. We're hoping all of them play to their ability and hopefully we can come away with the win.

"There's been a lot of time and effort put into this.

"The Ovens and Murray has a proud tradition at representative level. We want to continue that. It's a great honour for the boys to be able to represent the league."

West Gippsland Latrobe was relegated from Pool A to Pool B after the 2006 titles.

Bendigo will play Geelong in the first match at Sale Recreation Reserve before the headline match of the day between the WGLFL and the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League.

MPNFL will play Bendigo and WGLFL will meet Geelong in the second round.

Tomorrow, Geelong and MPNFL will clash as will WGLFL and Bendigo.

Former AFL players Adrian Cox and Troy Makepeace faced off last weekend when Sale beat Moe.

Today the pair will line up as teammates for the WGLFL.

Yarra Valley Mountain District and North Central Mallee will compete for the Pool D title at St Arnaud.

The Central Murray and Sunraysia leagues are not participating in interleague because of fixture restrictions due to the drought.

VCFL chief executive Glenn Scott said the championships showcased country football at its best.

"There is a renewed keenness for representative football, especially this year where all players will be vying to be selected in the VCFL team to play in Division 1 of the Australian Country Football Carnival in July at Shepparton," Scott said.

By Amelia Harris

Articlefirst appeared Herald Sun May 31, 2008