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.

With movements in team's ranks and the addition of new recruits, round one provided football followers with a taste of the North Gippsland season to come.

For some the opening round showed that there is plenty of improvement to be made, with last Saturdays matches providing teams with an opportunity to refine facets of their game plan as they look to gain the winning edge.

A large crowd was on hand to watch Yarram win their inaugural game of North Gippsland with their performance putting the competition on notice, while Heyfield again demonstrated why they will be hard to contain in 2014.

The fitness and pace of HEYFIELD set the side apart from reigning premiers in round one.

While the temperature on Saturday was blistering for the winter sport, the temperature on the field was just as hot as the Kangaroos showed why they are once again a formidable outfit.

The Kangaroos will host SALE CITY who added more fire power to their cavalry following the signing of former dual premiership player Jake Schuback on game day.

Highlighting ahead of the season "that it was hard to say" exactly where his side was at, Dogs coach Hayden Burgiel would have been pleased with the points first up and the manner in which the sides new recruits gelled with the squad.

Saturday will provide the new coach with his first big test and an indication as to just how much his side has improved in the off season. It's a daunting prospect for any side to travel to Gordon Street Recreation Reserve to meet Heyfield, let alone meeting the Kangaroos on the hop as they look to make immense for last season's disappointment.

Senior GORMANDALE captain Luke Heggarty will lead his side out onto the field in his 150th club match, a club best and fairest and league team of the year awardee, Heggarty's teammates will be eager to mark his milestone with victory.

Impressing in the season opener the man at the helm of the Tigers isn't so complimentary noting that he and his side was disappointed with their efforts.

"We were very disappointed we didn't go there (Sale City) to lose, given our performances in past seasons people might think that it was an impressive effort but for us we have high expectations as to where we should be," said Luke Henderson.

"We let them get away early, before we rallied hitting the front and then we got lazy ahead of three quarter time which let them back in the contest.

"What is pleasing for us is the continued improvement and development from our young kids, we have 13 players in the side that have come up through the ranks at the club having played in the thirds competition.

"These kids are stepping up with the more game time they are exposed to and it is their development which is pleasing."

This week the Tigers will host another club on the improve BOISDALE/BRIAGOLONG who more than impressed in their hit out against Woodside.

Henderson knows that the Bombers pose a very different prospect then in past seasons noting that their list is completely different and somewhat of the unknown.

"They can play some good footy and showed that in the first round, we won't be taking them lightly and are fully aware that we will need to play our best footy.

"It's no secret, our expectation is to win at least five home games this season.

"It's a must win game for us, we want to go into the bye and Easter break with a one a piece ledger rather than 0-2, we are not interested in honourable loses," said Henderson.

Left wanting following a dominating performance by foes Woodside in the second half, Bombers coach Dean Pratt will be seeking a lift in intensity from his chargers in order to open their season campaign.

The Saints will make their season debut with COWWARR to host a rebounding CHURCHILL.

Railroaded after half time the Cougars went down to Rosedale in a round one thrashing and will do all they can to avoid a 0-2 start.

Outplayed Churchill's coaching panel will go back to the drawing board ahead of their round two clash, against Cowwarr who watched from the sidelines in round one.

With a game under their belt, the Cougars will be a tough prospect and should register new coach Alan Chandlers first win.

TTU will aim to refocus following a costly lapse of concentration which put the Bombers out of contention for the four points against the new kids on the block.

There will be little let up for the Bomber's with this week's opponents GLENGARRY damaging midfield and potent forward line set to cause more headaches for Matt Stolarczyk as he plots the right matchups for the clash against the Magpies.

Expressing his disappointed after the side's loss to Heyfield, Magpies coach Ryan Potter will be looking for a turnaround from his side if they are to avoid a 0-2 start to the season.

Renowned for their tough ruthless clashes, both sides will be aware they can ill afford to allow the opposition a sniff or the game may be over by half time. The pressure is set to be paramount as the two sides search for the points.

Unearthing a number of new stars, ROSEDALE's new look line-up proved the right combination with the Blues rampant in their disposal of Churchill.

On Sunday the Blues host YARRAM who can ill afford to be complacent following their first up win; the visitors will need to deliver another consistent performance if they are to claim the scalp of another of last season's finalists, Rosedale.

Coach Grif Underwood was pleased with the Demons first win in the league which drew a large crowd.

"A lot of supporters came out to watch us, it was really good to have so much support and the crowd certainly helped us with the result.

"We were pleased with how we went; obviously we weren't too sure what to expect but we knew that TTU would come out firing.

"I wasn't too happy with the final quarter effort, but overall we played to our game style came out stuck to our guns and got the score on the board to win," said Underwood.

WOODSIDE has the BYE

By Lauren Carey