A local derby is the highlight of a big opening round in the Ballarat Football Netball League.
The league revealed last week that the season will start on Good Friday with standalone matches between Redan and Lake Wendouree.
In football, the match marks the return of Gary Learmonth to coaching in the league, having been appointed Redan’s coach.
For the eastern clubs, the action starts the following week on April 15, with the Melton and Melton South clash on the agenda.
The Bloods, the reigning football premiers, will host the Panthers, in the matches both clubs look forward to most.
Darley will be on the road the first seven rounds due to the redevelopment at Darley Park, and will start its season against Ballarat.
Bacchus Marsh also makes the trip up the freeway in round one, taking on Sebastopol.
The Sunbury Lions will start their season at home, taking on North Ballarat at Clarke Reserve. The Lions then face the two Melton teams the next two rounds.
Local rivals Darley and Bacchus Marsh will face each other twice, with the first of those matches in round two.
The football grand final rematch between Melton and Sebastopol will be played in round three and the netball grand final rematch between Darley and North Ballarat will be played in round nine.
There are no matches on the Queen’s Birthday weekend, while July 1 has been left free for senior interleague, which returns this season.
Finals are scheduled to start the weekend of September 2, with the grand final to be held September 29.
