THE Tallangatta District Football and Netball League seasons kick off on Saturday and Beechworth’s senior side will be eager to make an early statement against Thurgoona

The Bushrangers face an exciting challenge in their season opener according to new coach Jack Neil, as they take on last year’s elimination finalists at Thurgoona Oval.

The red and blue stripes will take a similar look to last season’s semi-final team, with the additions of Cudgewa’s Dayne Carey, North Albury’s Hayden Cooper and Roy Dunnet from Western Australia.

Connor Stone will be missed as he departs the team this season along with senior regulars Ed Cartledge and Kane Scott.

Neil said he was excited to see what his side has to offer this season, after months of pre-season training and practice matches finally coming to the real thing.

“There’s always some exciting and nervous energy before getting out there,” he said.

“We’ve had a couple of practice matches where we’ve had a couple of guys unavailable, so it’s made it hard to get a good gauge of where we’re at, but I think the guys are training really well and they’re fit and firing.

“The group have been really accommodating; everyone has made me feel welcome and a big part of the club and I think that’s a real testament to the people that are in the club.

“I’ve been told it’s the strongest numbers we’ve had through pre-season which is good.”

Throughout pre-season Neil said while the regular talents of reigning best and fairest winner Degan Dolny and two-time Barton Medal winner Cam Fendyk have come to the fore, he has been impressed with his side’s depth.

“There’s a handful of regular guys turning up who have shown significant growth in how hard their training and playing,” he said.

“Their improvement has been phenomenal, and it gives us some good hope.”

Thurgoona were the competition’s biggest improvers last season, making an elimination final before being beaten by Beechworth.

The Dogs had a busy off-season which included the arrival of former WAFL player Cody Howard, who has been touted as one of the players to watch across the TDFL this season.

Neil said while the team was aware of the danger the Bulldogs possess; they have kept the focus on themselves throughout the week.

“It’s going to be a real challenge, I’ve been trying to teach the guys a new game plan and the guys are still piecing that together and we’re both going to be around the same mark,” he said.

“We’re under no illusions it’ll be a hard-fought win for either side.

“I think you can get too caught up in pre-season thinking about what other teams are going to look like, you don’t know until you get a look at them.

“We’ve got enough work to do ourselves and then we will turn our attention to them on Saturday.”

The season will kick off at Thurgoona Oval with the juniors on both the oval and the court from 9am.