COROWA-Rutherglen will take winning momentum into the opening round of the season after toppling Lower Plenty by 38 points at John Foord Oval on Saturday.
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Unlike recent pre-seasons when the Roos have struggled to field competitive teams, Marc Almond's side has hit the ground running with recruits Shane Tregear, Andrew Pretto and Rohan Davies impressing again.
Corowa-Rutherglen accounted for Mulwala last weekend.
"We know where we are coming from but we're really pleased with our pre-season," Almond said.
"It was good hit-out against Lower Plenty.
"We relied on the local guys last year and they were all young but this year we have a bit more support for them."
Lower Plenty, who won the Northern Football League's division two premiership last season, struggled to match up on Pretto and Davies in particular.
Tyler Spencer also continued his good form.
The Roos took a strong line-up into the clash with Joe Hansen, Jared Lane, Tim Brook and Matt Wilson the most notable absentees.
Brook played in the Southern Districts' side which lost to Nightcliff by 22 points in the Northern Territory Football League grand final on Saturday night.
A depleted Wodonga Raiders lost to Benalla by 40 points.
With Brodie Filo, Daniel Bowles and Brodie Avard among up to 10 players missing, the Goulburn Valley club controlled play over the five quarters.
Hayden Clarke, Jarrod and Luke Hodgkin, Jake Bradshaw and Shane Munro were among the Raiders' best.
The match was called off early in the final quarter after a Benalla player injured his shoulder.
A young Albury side accounted for Tatura.
The Tigers led by 17 goals at half-time with classy forward Riley Bice and ruckman Ollie McEwan grabbing the opportunity to impress.
Coach Peter German then changed his side dramatically with Tatura fighting its way back into the contest.
"It was good because Tatura are a pretty good outfit and at times they caught us out when we didn't defend well," German said.
"At the same time our guys were pretty good playing in some different roles."
Albury went into the clash without a host of big names including Joel Mackie, Shaun Daly, Chris Hyde, Luke Daly, Jim Grills, Lachie Taylor-Nugent, Luke Packer and Dean Polo.
Yarrawonga edged out Echuca by four points with Bailey Frauenfelder, Isaac McMillan, Matt Gorman, Beau Seymour featuring prominently.
Lavington defeated Ainslie by 22 points and Wodonga went down to Shepparton Swans.
North Albury played an intra-club on Sunday.
