Teams will be aiming to begin the season on the front foot when the North Gippsland Football Netball League season kicks off on Saturday.

With the addition of an 11th side, the extension of the season by two rounds the stage is set for an epic home and away season.

It's hard to read into pre-season form, given how much teams rest and rotate players through the summer in order to have them ready for the opening rounds. However, we confidently know that the stage is set for an action packed opening round with the anticipated replay of last year's Grand Final among the expected highlights.

GLENGARRY will unfurl their hard earned 2013 premiership flag ahead of the clash against Heyfield.

Magpies coach Ryan Potter is fully aware his side will be the hunted, with opposition sides set to pay plenty attention as they take aim at the reigning premiers.

Despite the departure of some big names, Potter is confident that with a combination of recruits and talented youth coming up the ranks, the Magpies will again be at the top of the pecking order.

"We have recruited well and I think that we will could repeat last year's efforts and go back to back.

"There is some great talent among the thirds kids who will be sure to push for senior game time, it will be quite exciting to provide others with an opportunity to step up," said Potter.

Contesting one of the most epic grand finals in recent times which saw the game enter extra time after scores were drawn at the end of the fourth quarter, the Magpies will host the Kangaroos who are under no illusion as to the contest that waits.

"As a side Heyfield are generally known as slow starters, so it would be great to get a win straight off the bat," said coach Adrian Cox.

"We don't know how Glengarry has gone over the preseason, but we certainly know that it will be a tough game.

"There is no denying that the grand final loss hurt the club and players, it has driven the guys over the preseason to train harder and be fitter then what they were last year."

New kids on the block YARRAM will kick start a new era in the North Gippsland League with a first round contest against the competitions biggest improvers of 2013, TTU.

With his side up and about Bombers coach Matt Stolarczyk said that the "boys are jumping out of their skin to have a kick, and relish the challenge of playing Yarram first up."

The addition of Yarram to the competition following an appeal lodged by the club to the former games governing body, the Victorian Country Football League, has many intrigued as to what the Bombers will bring to the table.

"We had a solid preseason hit out against Mirboo North, but it is hard to know and judge just how well we will go," said club President Shane Richards.

Boasting a talented list Richards notes there are a number of players who will be closely checked by opposition sides.

"We have some talented players including the Underwood brothers, the Swift brothers Jarrod and Josh will be ones to watch, then there are a lot of second and third year players who are still very young, 18 and 19 years of age who will be key.

"The players are crisp enough and ready to go, if we can put it all together at one time there is no reason that we can't play finals as we have in past years in the Alberton League."

The CHURCHILL Cougars will host ROSEDALE in a tantalising contest which promises plenty.

Bowing out of the finals race at the expense of the Blues in the do or die elimination final, the Cougars under new coach Alan Chandler will be keen to brush the disappointment of last season aside with a first up win.

A sour taste still remains in the mouths of many Blues players, last year's preliminary finalists hungry for premiership success this season. The premiership window still remains very much ajar after finishing bridesmaids in 2012 and one game out of the big one in 2013.

Coach Nick Leechino is confident that the departure of Brad Caldwell, Chris Graham and Jake Power can be covered.

"We have gained equally if not better than the quality of players that we have lost, with Dale Fleming returning and Morwell pair of Brandon McConnell and Mitch Marino to have an impact.

"The first three games are incredibly important to see where we are at, we are ready to field the best side that we can against Churchill," said Leechino.

BOISDALE/Briagolong will be aiming to open their campaign with a first up win against foe WOODSIDE.

Excited at the prospect of a solid hit-out, Bombers coach Dean Pratt is looking forward to his side's opening clash.

"Realistically we go into the contest against Woodside seven games behind, we won three games last year and they had a great season.

"We know that it isn't going to be easy, this is a two to three year prospect that we are now building," said Pratt.

The Wildcats will be keen to let their footy do the talking in their opening clash. Strong recruitment has aided the Wildcats in adding to an already competitive list, and with a solid preseason campaign behind them coach Chris Pettit has his side primed on making an attack on a top five finish.

With their sights firmly placed on a finals berth after the disappointment of 2013, Woodside will be eager for a solid start to the season but will have to hold a new look Bombers outfit at bay.

The young pups at the kennel will be out to impress new coach Hayden Burgiel who takes to the helm of SALE CITY.

Making it known that he was looking for a new challenge, Burgiel has brought with him a new game plan that he hopes will catapult City back into the contention with the main pack.

"The guys are adjusting well to a new game plan, they have all taken it on board and certainly talk of finals is definitely on the agenda.

"Playing just one home game in the opening six matches, it is important for us to win round one to set us up for the tough run ahead," said Burgiel.

With a tough assignment first up, GORMANDALE will travel to Stephenson Park for one of the hardest matches on the fixture.

It won't be all one way traffic for the Dogs, despite a lean 2013 the Tigers showed in patches that they are a competitive outfit and like all sides will confident of claiming a first up win.

COWWARR has the BYE

By Lauren Carey