Teams will be aiming to begin the season on the front foot when North Gippsland Football Netball League kicks off, and that is exactly what Yarram did to claim the chocolates by 85 points in the Good Friday clash against foes Woodside.

The remainder of the competitions eight sides will take to the field on Saturday, to conclude the split opening round, with their no bigger clash scheduled then the grand final replay.

Achieving what many described as 'mission impossible' heading into the big one against the undefeated giant killers, CHURCHILL claimed bragging rights on the biggest stage and will unfurl the 2014 premiership flag ahead of the replay against HEYFIELD.

While the disappointment of last year no doubt lingers, Kangaroos coach Damien Birss won't prescribe to the results of past grand final losses as being motivation for his chargers.

"The past doesn't make a difference. Each year is different, and this year will be a different story, with the competition having improved there is likely to be five to six clubs that will be reasonable and up there," said Birss.

The benchmark side of the competition for the past three seasons, Birss will no doubt be happy to hand the title of hunted over to last season's giant killers with Cougars coach Allan Chandler fully aware his side will be the hunted, with opposition sides set to pay plenty attention as they take aim at the reigning premiers.

GLENGARRY Premiership player Robbie Cahill will be pitted against COWWARR's Luke Cooper when the Magpies and Saints aim to kick the season off on a winning note.

No stranger to the coaching caper Cahill, having coached the reserve and thirds sides, will have a challenge ahead of him as he looks to return the Magpies to the success of past seasons, while Cooper would be expecting nothing more than a finals berth. With both sides coming off the back of disappointing showings in 2014 a spirited contest is expected.

"We are definitely confident of our chances against Cowwarr, we feel that they are at the same level as us, they have lost a couple as well and are a young list also.

"We have added speed into our line-up for the season, we know that one of our shortcomings last year was that we were slow, so we are confident that we will be able to move the ball quicker and hopefully come away with the points," said Cahill.

Holding his cards close to his chest, GORMANDALE coach Luke Henderson in the third year of his coaching tenure at the Tigers is giving little away ahead of his sides opening clash against the Bombers.

Noting spectators can expect a significantly faster paced line-up due to the recruitment of some silky young runners, the coach has "freshened up" his playing list with a much young tiger cub outfit to run out on the field which will be complimented by the older brigade of Luke Hegarty, Daniel Domaille, Steve Burgess, Wayne Henry and Paul Richards.

"Playing TTU first up is exciting, we know that they under performed last year, and will pose a real challenge.

"Last season we evened the ledger at a win a piece against them, and we wouldn't be expecting anything less than a fierce and fast match," said Henderson.

Taking pen to paper in possibly the biggest signing in recent seasons, former AFL Essendon footballer Jay Neagle returns to the Latrobe Valley where he was drafted at pick 39 under the father son rule in the 2005 draft to take to the helm of TTU.

Following the disappointment of last season TTU Captain Luke Middleton said the Bombers are focused on sticking to the structures that Neagle has been working on over the off season.

"We obviously had a disappointing year, I know that it is cliché, but to use an old football saying we will be taking it one week at a time. The message from Jay all preseason is to take things a week at a time and improve on the things that are in our control.

"To start the year positively and get the four points against Gormandale would be great, but long term our aim is to stick to the structures that we have been working on and hopefully that in turn will bring success," said Middleton.

A favourite son will return to the ranks of ROSEDALE with Ben Macreadie back in a playing coach role.

It will be a baptism of fire in his debut match when he comes up against old hand and strategic mastermind, Hayden Burgiel, who instilled a changing of the guard 12 months ago at the kennel. Bringing with him a new game plan that he hoped would catapult SALE CITY back into contention with the main pack, and that it did.

Securing a preliminary final berth, the Dogs were up and about, and like many an opposition side, key signings for the season ahead has resulted in many touting the Dogs as one of the sides to beat to claim this year's title.

With a number of signings under their belt, non-more so key then David Piasente who will compliment an already embarrassment of riches in the engine room, the Dogs will be up and about with Macreadie fully aware of the prospect they pose.

"It will be a hard hit out against City, we know that they have picked up a few and are proving to be the team to beat, to start the season off against City is a great challenge for us," said Macreadie.

By Lauren Carey