Corryong coach Mitch Harris excited for first game in top job against Bullioh

The Demons travel to face Bullioh in the Upper Murray season opener and Harris can't hide his excitement.

His father, Ron, coached Corryong in 1990 and 1991 and Harris will finally get the chance to follow in his footsteps.

"I suppose growing up I always loved playing for Corryong," Harris said.

"My dad coached the team and I always looked up to previous coaches like Ray Mack, Ross Hillary and Kane Arendarcikas.

"They were pretty experienced footballers from around the area and to be able to follow in their footsteps and hopefully write my own history as coach is an absolute privilege.

"When we started the journey of this new beginning of the Upper Murray back in November, I made a qualified decision to recruit based on character rather than skill.

"Essentially we've put together a group of guys from all different walks of life and different levels of football experience and really generated a love and connection with one another.

"We're really excited to see what that's going to produce on the field."

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Harris said his main aim as coach is to ensure everyone enjoys the return to football.

"The number one thing for every player that comes into our club is to have fun and enjoy what playing football gives to your life," he said.

"The benefits of playing footy are physical, emotional, spiritual and we want to really emphasise we love the fact everyone is an individual and everyone has got their own story and history.

"Once you pull the red and blue jumper on Saturday afternoon, you get the chance to potentially leave some of those bad things behind and focus on the positives in life.

"We want to work hard to achieve success as a team."

The overwhelming response from the community is how much football and netball has been missed after devastating bushfires and a global pandemic.

"The Upper Murray community has probably gone through the toughest 18 months its almost ever seen," Harris said.

"I think football is the fabric of local communities and the Upper Murray is no different."

Harris said Corryong won't set any limitations of what it is capable of and is hopeful of a strong display against the reigning premiers first up.

"They're an incredibly successful and well-run footy club," he said.

"I've got a lot of respect for them over the journey and I've really enjoyed my own personal battles with players like Clint Ried and Alex Freeman.

"We're expecting them to rock up on Saturday and have two full sides that are going to be able to provide a really hearty contest for us.

"We want to revel in each other's successes and encourage everyone to continue to get better every week."

Meanwhile, Tumbarumba hosts Cudgewa.

The Roos have recruited well and are set to be one of the big improvers.

Federal has the bye.

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