Dederang captain Andrew Creamer expects Corowa to be among the contenders, despite an extraordinary collapse last week.
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The pair meets in round two on Saturday after both suffering losses in the season opener.
However, Corowa's loss was the more disappointing of the two.
The visitors were 2-101 against Eskdale, but then lost a stunning 8-15 to be bundled out for 116.
The home team faced just 21.5 of its allotted 40 overs, cruising to a nine-wicket win.
Corowa was missing a number of players which, ironically, was a key issue when captain Daniel Athanitis was quizzed on last year's disappointing finish in the preliminary final.
"We let footy get in the way and we won't be doing that again. Footy seems to take over for all of us because everyone plays. We're pretty keen to be around the mark again," he said last week in a season preview of the association.
Dederang, meantime, fell to last season's minor premiers Baranduda.
The home team posted a respectable 9-144, but the Rangers passed the total only three wickets down.
The Demons believe Corowa will hit form quickly.
"I think so, if not this week, it won't be long because I think they'll be one of the teams to beat," Creamer said.
"They're well drilled, they field well, they're a young side and they were very professional last year when we played them."
Elsewhere, Baranduda hosts Mount Beauty.
Just as the Rangers impressed with the bat, the Power also showed its depth, amassing the round's highest score of 5-236.
Greg McLennan struck 70, while Ross Wilson posted 61 as the home team restricted Barnawartha-Chiltern to 8-219.
Kiewa is home to another of round one's shining lights in Eskdale.
Jye Hodgkin (55 not out) and Andrew Mansale (53no) combined in the unbeaten 93-run stand which torpedoed Corowa's hopes.
And Yackandandah hosts Barnawartha-Chiltern.
Yackandandah claimed last year's title and it also started in style with a 41-run win over an improved Bethanga.
The premiers made 1-199 with Cooper Garoni stranded on 98 not out.
Bethanga won only one match last season, but it showed early signs of its development by pushing to 8-158 with Matt Vinnicombe top-scoring with 47, while Kieren Salome chipped in with an unbeaten 39.
This season's matches have been reduced from 45-over games.