Diamonds and Twin City to field new-look sides in derby clash

Three seasons without playing finals has felt like an eternity for the club that won three cups in four years between 2011 and 2014.

A host of experience has returned to the club, including former star Dan Millynn, who will provide a valuable contribution on and off the pitch, having also taken on a coaching role.

Arch rivals Twin City await in the season opener at La Trobe on Sunday and Millynn admits it's already shaping as a crucial fixture.

"Both of us are looking at a similar spot on the table and this is a game both of us need to win, so it's going to be a good clash," Millynn said.

"The reality is we're probably not in the field of the likes of Wang and Myrtleford because we're going to be rebuilding.

"Twin City, Hotspurs and Patties are the games we really need to focus on winning if we want to make that top eight for the first time in a while."

ALSO IN SPORT:

Millynn has had an extended period away from the club and the sport, but is eager to hit the ground running.

"It's a lot better (at the club), it's been a hard few years for them. It's just about building a better culture and trying to get back on track to where they once were," he said.

Millynn has been rapt with how Dylan Nhansana has warmed to the role as captain since returning to Diamonds from Boomers, while new goalkeeper Nelson Burns has impressed since crossing from Albury City.

Twin City is also set to field a vastly different starting 11.

Senior goalkeeper Rohan Pearce isn't set to play a part this season, Jack Kirk has returned to England, Caleb Matchan has moved for university, Jarrod Murphy is having a year off and Aaron Williams is still recovering from a knee injury.

The Wanderers received a late boost with former junior Bailey Dexter committing to the club this week after a season at Melrose.

"It's going to be a bit of a learning curve for everyone," coach Shaun Wilhelm said.

"Brayden Hocking was our reserve keeper from last year and he's good enough for it, but he's never played senior football so it will be a different experience for him.

"We've still got the likes of Jayson Ferguson, Cayne (Wilhelm), Cody Walsh and Liam Walsh still running around.

"The derby is probably not ideal round one, you'd like that round three, four or five when you know where you are, but the boys are up for it and ready to go."

There will also be plenty of interest in the clash between defending champions Wangaratta and Albury United at Wangaratta.

Former United star Ryan Luty is among a host of huge signings for the Devils and is looking forward to meeting his old side first up.

"The boys haven't played together and there's still a few combinations we're trying out and figuring out where everyone fits best," Luty said.

"We're looking pretty hopeful going into the season. Obviously we're not expecting any easy games.

"Boomers have put together a really good squad, as have Myrtleford and Cobram. I think these teams are flying under the radar a little bit and we're getting a lot of attention because the boys won the cup and league double last year, which is to be expected."

United skipper Caleb Martin is in some doubt for Sunday's blockbuster through injury, but is confident they can take it to Wangaratta.

"It's always pretty fiery when we play them and it's a good battle," he said.

"They won the league and the cup last year and everyone was chasing them. I think it might be the same this year, but we look forward to the challenge."

In other games, Melrose host Albury City, Myrtleford take on Cobram and St Pats meet Albury Hotspurs, while Boomers have the bye.