The Western Region Football League has released its 2014 senior fixtures.
Weekly sports reporter Lance Jenkinson scours the division 1 and 2 draws for the showpiece events and important rounds next season.
Related: Wyndhamvale Falcons in night flight
DIVISION 1
Season launch
Opening round will have a derby flavour with the traditional Friday night kick-off on April 4 between neighbours St Albans and Deer Park, and Port Melbourne Colts and Spotswood contesting the battle of the bridge. The draw also rekindles the Werribee Districts and Hoppers Crossing rivalry in a Saturday night affair in the Districts’ first game since returning from the VAFA.
Anzac spirit
Four clubs will take to the field to acknowledge the Anzacs in two games on April 25 – Sunshine Kangaroos hosting Werribee Districts, and Albion taking on premier Deer Park. In years past, local clubs involved in Anzac clashes have made it a special occasion with the traditional playing of the bugle before the game, a minute’s silence to remember the war heroes and involvement with the local RSL clubs. It will be interesting to see what the host clubs have in store this time around.
The re-match
Deer Park will unfurl its premiership flag in round 2, but its most anticipated match will come in the grand final re-match with Spotswood at John McLeod Oval in round five. In a dramatic finish to last year’s grand final, the Woodsmen lost by a point in a decider for the second time in two seasons. This has the hallmarks of a blossoming rivalry. The sides will meet again in round 14.
Round 1, April 4-5
St Albans v Deer Park (Friday night)
Altona v Albion
Port Melbourne Colts v Spotswood
Hoppers Crossing v Sunshine
Werribee Districts v Hoppers Crossing (Saturday night)
DIVISION 2
Jam-packed opener
One of the first things that sticks out in the division-2 draw is the number of teams, with no fewer than 14 taking to the field in the opening round. Of course, that will only last for 13 weeks, when a third tier will be created. But it means every single match will have something riding on it and futures will be shaped from the first bounce. Expansion club Tarneit will host its first-ever match against North Sunshine at Wootten Road Reserve. The season will kick off with a Friday night clash between Wyndhamvale and Sanctuary Lakes.
Grand final recall
Glen Orden opted to remain in division 2, paving the way for Werribee Districts’ automatic entry to division 1 and the chance of a grand final re-match. Glen Orden and Parkside will duke it out for the first time since September in round 5, the much-anticipated clash taking place at the former’s Heathdale Oval.
The split
Round 13 will be lucky for some, a disaster for others. The July 12 fixtures will decide the future of all clubs, with the league to split into three tiers. The bottom six clubs after this round will form a third division, with no club able to be promoted to second division until 2016.
Round 1, April 4-5
Wyndhamvale v Sanctuary Lakes (Friday night)
Caroline Springs v Laverton
Braybrook v West Footscray
Glen Orden v North Footscray
Sunshine Heights v Albanvale
Tarneit v North Sunshine
Parkside v Manor Lakes
