Weekly Advertiser | All eyes will be on the Good Friday clash between Stawell and Ararat, marking the start of the Wimmera Football Netball League season.

The annual clash, this year at Stawell’s North Park, not only marks the beginning of the 2026 season in senior football, but will be a much-anticipated match between two teams that are tipped to be among the competition’s leaders.

Reigning premier Ararat has largely kept the core of its team from last year, when it went through the home-and-away season undefeated before dropping the semi-final to Southern Mallee Thunder.

The three-time premiers, led by league superstar Tom Williamson, will again be the team to beat in 2026.

The Rats are strong across the ground, but assistant coach Harry Ganley said the injection of some new players from the club’s junior ranks would be an exciting addition.

He said players were keen to participate in the Good Friday match against rivals Stawell.

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