THE Hampden Football Netball League (HFNL) is wasting no time getting started with games set to get underway on April 1.

The 2023 season fixture was released on Thursday with the league electing to start on the earliest possible day, despite Easter falling the following weekend.

Hamilton Kangaroos’ season will get underway with a season opening against North Warrnambool Eagles at Bushfield Oval, with the blue and white’s first home game against Cobden on round two on April 15.

The traditional Anzac Day clash against Portland will once again be a highlight, with the 2023 edition set to be played at Hanlon Park, as part of round three.

Round three will also lead to a split round with round four set to be played across both April 29 and May 6, along with the Good Friday clash between Koroit and South Warrnambool.

Another split round will be played in round 15 on July 29 and August 5, with the league also opting to retain the school holidays winter bye on July 1.

The Roos will host Port Fairy in round four, while the Tigers will visit Melville Oval on July 8.

Hamilton’s last game will be in round 17 when it hosts Camperdown.

The finals get underway with qualifying and elimination match-ups on September 2 and 3, with the grand final slated for September 23.

With two split rounds and the bye, it is a longer season than usual despite the season remaining at 18 games, a benefit of September having five Saturdays in the month in 2023.