THE Hamilton Kangaroos will face a tough test to open its senior footy campaign in the Hampden Football Netball League (HFNL) 2023 season, travelling to Bushfield Oval to face the North Warrnambool Eagles today.

Roos coach, Hamish Waldron, will continue to blood some youngsters in the team with a senior debut locked in for the season opener.

“Charlie Alexander will get his first crack at it,” he said.

“He played good footy last year and played in (last week’s) practice match and got plenty of it on the wing.”

The height of the Eagles’ forward line will also need managing, with potential for a third tall to play in defence if necessary.

“We will need to try and match their height, so if I have to throw another tall down back, it might have to be Hamish Cook,” Waldron said.

The team will be without Rory Gill, who is still serving a suspension from late last season, along with Zach Burgess who is on an end of season cricket trip.

Waldron expects a strong showing from key forward, Darcy Russell, who reeled in 16 marks in last week’s practice match against East Gambier

“Darcy Russell was super in the practice match, and had 16 marks,” he said.

“Tom Batten might have to go to him, “I will try and isolate them if I think Hamish and Darcy are dangerous and leave the more dangerous one as deep as possible.”

As usual, the midfield battle will shape the contest across the ground, with Waldron backing his group to make an impact.

“It is always nice if you can beat a side with such a dominant ruck, if you can break even than you can call that a win at times,” he said.

Adding some extra spice to the encounter will be the Roos facing Angus Noske for the first time, who is now playing for the Eagles.

First bounce is at 2pm.

CAMPERDOWN

Ins: Will Rowbottom, Jason Baird (NTFL); Riley Arnold (Noosa); Aiden Dann (Broome); Desmond James (Halls Creek); Sidney Bradshaw (year off); Brendan Richardson, Hugh Gordon (injury). Outs: Jarrod Evans (Kolora-Noorat); Isaac Stephens (Nirranda); Zach Anderson (Simpson); Luke Molan (retired); Ash Royal (overseas); Ned Payne (Bell Park).

COBDEN

Ins: Brody Mahoney, Jesse Williamson (Colac); Jack Hammond (Tongala); Tom Mahony (Panmure); Daniel Watson (overseas); Ash Rosolin (Nirranda); Jordan Fowler (Timboon Demons); Noah Mounsey (Katherine Camels); Mark Marriott (Hatherleigh). Outs: Nil.

HAMILTON

Ins: Oscar Linke (Penshurst). Outs: Angus Noske (Nth W’bool Eagles); Andrew Pepper (Leopold); Vincent Huf (cricket); Nathan Fall (Glenthompson-Dunkeld).

KOROIT

Ins: Clem Nagorcka, Levi Nagorcka (St Joey’s); James Gow; Jag McInerney (NTFL); Nathan Rentsch (Penshurst). Outs: Ben Goodall, Jeremy Hausler (retired); Sam Dobson (St Mary’s); Jack O’Sullivan (Wodonga).

NORTH WARRNAMBOOL

Ins: Nick Rodda (Darley); Angus Noske (Hamilton); Sam McKinnon (Chelsea), Lachlan Seed (Harrow-Balmoral); Henry Brooks (Walkerville). Outs: Tate Porter, Jalen Porter (Merrivale); Ben Kellett (Sth Barwon); Billie Smedts (Port Melbourne Colts); Dion Johnstone (St Mary’s); Joe McKinnon, Tom James (Warracknabeal); Austin Sinclair (uni); Scott Morter.

PORT FAIRY

Ins: Theo Opperman, Jason Rowan (W’bool); Jett Hopper (Horsham); Adam Stirling (Newcomb); Zeb McKenna, Sam Lee (Dennington); Josh Gunning (Russells Creek); Dylan Gunning; Lachie Gunning; Tyson Macilswain. Outs: Jake Hamilton (Dennington); Dylan Chapman (Allansford); Hamish Gleeson (Hawkesdale); Brenton Dalton (Merrigum).

PORTLAND

Ins: Will Hunter (Hamilton); James Goetz (SA). Outs: Daniel Jackson, Ty Deans (North Cairns); Lochie Huppatz (Darwin); Harry McIntyre (Bell Post Hill); Kade Lovell, Tex Mitchell (Geelong West); Tom Sharp, Ben Malcolm, Nathan Haylock (not playing); Jack Walsh; Paddy Haylock; Tommy Haylock.

SOUTH WARRNAMBOOL

Ins: Dan Nicholson (Russells Creek); Paddy Anderson (W’bool); Jeremy Mugavin (Uni Blues). Outs: James Hussey (Inverleigh).

TERANG MORTLAKE

Ins: Alex Moloney (Queensland); Rhys Buck (Allansford); Luke McConnell, Ben Reid (Kolora-Noorat); Lewis Taylor (Sydney AFL); Scott Carlin (Geelong VFL); Wade Rosas (Katherine Camels). Outs: Brodhi Carracher.

WARRNAMBOOL

Ins: Will Lord (Newtown and Chilwell); Rhys Jansen van Beek (Simpson); Nick Hooker, Heath Morgan-Morris, Ryan Warfe, Steven Lampton (NTFL); Ollie Everall (Russells Creek); Jack Dowd (South Rovers). Outs: Bradley Bull (Allansford); Paddy Anderson (Sth W’Bool); Theo Opperman, Jason Rowan (Port Fairy); Josh Irving (Nirranda).