The Lakers thrashed Wangaratta Magpies by 95 runs in the season opener last weekend and have their sights set on Rovers United-Bruck on Saturday.

Captain-coach Matt Knight was delighted with the start.

“It’s always hard to know how you’re going to go round one,” Knight said.

“There’s still plenty of room for improvement, but to finish the game with a fairly convincing win was pleasing.”

New recruit Josh Lawrence wasted no time finding his feet at his new, scoring 47 from 46 balls with eight fours and a six in his first game since crossing from Shepparton United.

“He’s a really good cricketer, and, without lumping too much pressure on him, I think he’ll certainly fit in nicely and be a good contributor,” Knight said.

“The whole top order did a great job, it was a bit of a different line-up to what we’ve had in the past, so it was nice and refreshing to see it work last week and hopefully it continues. 

“The same goes for the bowlers, young Will Sharp got four wickets in his debut and hopefully the rest of the bowlers can continue their work too.

“It was his A grade debut and he’s only 15 years old.

“At one stage I think he had 3-2 and ended up with 4-16 off six overs.

“He’s a good, strong left-armer.”

Knight has played in plenty of finals series with the Lakers and admitted the expectations are high again this summer.

“I’ve been pretty lucky to be at a pretty successful club, so each year we sit back and set ourselves to go as far as we possibly can,” he said. 

“This year is no different.”

The Hawks have been in a similar situation and Knight is expecting another tough challenge when they travel to Yarrawonga this weekend.

“It will be a good opportunity to find out where we are nice and early,” Knight said.

“For the last four or five years they’ve been a really good side and one of the benchmarks of the comp, but we always look forward to it.”

Matt McCabe has been ruled out of the clash after having surgery on an infection in his leg, with Reid Clarke to come back into the side.

“I don’t think it’s a long-term thing, but he won’t be playing this week,” Knight said.

“It probably strengthens our batting a little bit, but unfortunately we’ll miss Matt.”

In other games, reigning premiers Beechworth head to Greta for their first game after a bye last weekend.

Benalla Bushrangers host City Colts.

Delatite and Ovens Valley United will both search for their first wins, while Wangaratta Magpies have the bye.