THE clash between reigning premier Thurgoona and league heavyweight Kiewa-Sandy Creek will be the highlight of the opening round of the Tallangatta and District league next year.
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The league has released its official draw with the Bulldogs set to unfurl their premiership flag at the kennel.
Thurgoona is expected to once again prove hard to stop as it chases a fourth flag in the past five seasons.
However, the Bulldogs have lost several of their premiership stars to Rand-Walbundrie-Walla which is expected to be confirmed by the Giants next week.
The Giants have appointed former Bulldog Lucas Mellier as coach who has successfully lured some of his former teammates out to the Hume league.
Several of the older Bulldogs are also weighing up their playing futures including Josh Maher, Jayden Kotzur, Jamarl O'Sullivan and Matt Fowler.
Thurgoona is yet to officially announce any signings for next year after having trounced Barnawartha by 71-points in its lop-sided grand final romp.
In contrast, Kiewa-Sandy Creek has enjoyed a productive off-season and are expected to pose one of the biggest threats to the Bulldogs' recent dominance.
The Hawks have added Wodonga trio Josh Hicks, Nick Beattie and Chris Lewis after having lost the preliminary final to Barnawartha this season.
Ruckman Tim Darcy is the only confirmed departure.
Strong marking forward Guy Telford is weighing up his future after being hampered by a back complaint this season.
The season starts on March 28, with the Easter bye on April 11.
There will be no senior inter-league this season after the league decided to scrap representative football at its recent annual general meeting.
There will be two other general byes - the Queens Birthday on June 6 alongside July 11.
The finals series will commence on August 22 with the grand final on September 12.
A night match has been scheduled for round three between Kiewa-Sandy Creek and Tallangatta at Tangambalanga.
Tallangatta is expected to make further inroads up the ladder this season after signing Jack and Bob Russell, Khyle Goodman and Tom McKimmie.
The Hoppers lost in the opening week of the finals this year.
With Anzac day falling on a Saturday next year, the league has scheduled all round four matches for the following day.
Mitta United will play its first two matches at Tallangatta and Beechworth with its ground unavailable for the opening fortnight of the season.
- TDFL draw page 93
