A host of firsts will ensure the Western Region Football League starts with a bang next season.
The league released its official fixture last week, with round one kicking off in division 2 on April 2 and in divisions 1 and 3 the following weekend.
The opening round in division 1 will have Wyndhamvale making its debut among the competition’s elite sides.
The newly promoted Falcons will be at home to last season’s wooden spooner, Albion.
Albion avoided relegation only because Port Melbourne Colts left the division to join the Southern Football League, while Wyndhamvale booked its place in the top grade by smashing West Footscray in the division 2 grand final.
The Falcons have wasted no time strengthening their list for the jump in class, with Brian Graham one of the big-name signings to join the club.
Brian, the brother of premiership captain Chris Graham, is a multiple best-and-fairest winner in the North Gippsland Football League.
Albanvale, who are Wyndhamvale’s replacement in division 2, faces a tough task in its first match since promotion.
The Cobras will take on West Footscray in their opening game.
In division 3, Newport Power will be on the road for its first match since becoming a WRFL senior club. Power starts the season away at Tarneit, with the club’s first home clash against Braybrook a week later.
Newport has made an early splash in its new surroundings, signing former Hawthorn premiership player Mark Williams to coach the club for its inaugural senior season. The 32-year-old was drafted by the Hawks in 2001 and went on to play 111 games for the club.
He booted 242 goals and was the club’s leading goalkicker in 2005 and 2006. He also played in the Hawks’ 2008 premiership.
Williams won’t be the only former star to be officially introduced to the WRFL in the early stages of the season.
Brian Lake (Caroline Springs), Paul Chapman (Werribee Districts) and Brendan Fevola (Deer Park) will also call the WRFL home.
Other fixture highlights
•The WRFL grand finals will be split over two blockbuster weeks with the division 3 and 2 games to be played in the first weekend of September.
The division 1 game will be played on the following Saturday.
•Senior interleague football returns for the third straight year, with the WRFL drawn to take on the Ballarat Football League.
The match will be played at Whitten Oval on either May 21 or 22.
Liam Twomey
