THE Hamilton Kangaroos will embark on their 2024 campaign with a road trip to Cobden to take on the Bombers this afternoon.

The Roos are under the watch of new coach, Brad Thomas, who said morale was high within the group ahead of the season opener.

“I think it is mass excitement, round one can never come around quick enough,” he said.

“Everyone has done a lot of work.”

Deacon White remains unavailable with a knee injury, but Thomas has a squad of 28-30 to choose from and said availability was good ahead of the round one clash.

“Everyone is hungry for it and there is going to be some disappointed people, but they are all going to get their chance during the season,” he said.

Cobden squeezed into finals last year and is expected to be in the mix again this year.

The Bombers will get the first look at the Roos in 2024, and Thomas said he was backing each of his players to have an immediate impact.

“As much as you have leadership group, it is something special when round one comes around and sometimes it is a smokey that steps up,” he said.

“We have done a bit of homework on them (Bombers), they have still got the majority of their good players,” Thomas said.

“It is a massive game on their home turf, so we are excited for it.”

The Roos will have some new and familiar faces in the round one side, with the likes of Jack Murray, Harry Turnham and Vincent Huf joining mainstays like Rory Gill and Hamish Waldron.

Hamish Cook will also travel back from Geelong for games, and the crafty forward will be hoping to continue developing his skills alongside co-captain, Darcy Russell.

“I feel like our forward line is pretty potent, so if we can get the right supply, we should go well,” he said.

“Hampden footy is a contested game, so you will find they will open up at half time, and there will be a lot of fatigue in round one as well.

“Everyone wants a win in round one.

“We just want to get that first win then once we’ve got that, we will chase the second win, then the third win.”

Open set for Bomber test

THE new look Hamilton Kangaroos Open side will be unveiled when the blue and white travels to Cobden for today’s round one clash.

Around half last year’s squad has changed, with Ella Sevior stepping up into the captaincy role for 2024.

Emma Sommerville retains the coaching duties, without the help of sister, Kellie, and the club will have its work cut out with the Bombers one of the pre-season fancies to go all the way.

Sevior will return to goals, having played last season in defence, while the likes of Grace Cleaver, Saskia Gould and Molly O’Brien will also add some enthusiasm, as younger members of the squad.

Cobden will offer a tough opening round test for the Kangaroos, with a win this afternoon set to boost confidence within the group and send a strong message to the rest of the competition.

It will also be the first chance for teams to implement the new rolling sub rule, giving coaches the chance to make positional changes in game, rather than waiting for the end of the quarter or an injury.

The Open clash gets underway at 1.40pm.