By Kirstie Fitzgerald
Western Region football fans will have to wait an extra week before the first bounce of season 2015, with the opening round set to kick off after Easter.
Outlined in the 2015 fixture released today, Round 1 is scheduled for April 11 compared to the April 5 start this year, with all junior competitions to begin on the same weekend, commencing on Sunday April 12.
“With the Easter holiday falling earlier this year and the Senior Interleague Metropolitan Championships played the week before, the ideal start to the season is the week after as many families go on holidays during that time,” WRFL General Manager of Football Operations David Newton said.
Despite the later start, Newton said the traditional Good Friday clash between Hoppers Crossing and St.Albans may still go ahead.
“St.Albans and Hoppers Crossing are fixtured to play one another in Round 1. Both clubs are currently discussing whether they play that match a week earlier on Good Friday, which we will support as was the case in 2014,” Newton said.
With the ANZAC Day public holiday falling on a Saturday, North Sunshine will be the only WRFL club to miss out on playing Anzac Day football, with their first bye for the season coming in round 3.
“We have had a number of clubs who have played stand alone matches on the ANZAC Day holiday in recent years. Next season will be great for all clubs to get behind the day and support their local RSL.”
Although a general bye is scheduled for the Queen’s Birthday weekend, Port Melbourne Colts has shown interest in hosting a match over that weekend.
“Port Colts has indicated they are interested in playing over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend and are currently discussing this option with a number of potential teams,” Newton said.
While there are still 136 sleeps until the first bounce of 2015, fans can look forward to a ripping opening round of football with the Division One Grand final rematch between Deer Park and Spotswood sure to reignite its new found rivalry.
Werribee Districts will go head to head with Altona, Port Colts will host Albion while Division One newcomers Parkside will debut away from home as they face Sunshine.
Newly relegated Division Two club Yarraville Seddon will start its 2015 campaign against North Footscray at home, while 2014 runners-up West Footscray will look to go one better in the new year when they come up against Caroline Springs.
Neighbourhood rivals Wyndhamvale and Manor Lakes will do battle under lights in the first night match of the season and Glen Orden will shape up against Sunshine Heights.
For the first time since 1998, Division Three will commence round one with reigning premiers Braybrook to face North Sunshine, Laverton will host Tarneit while newcomers Wyndham Suns will kick off their debut year against Sanctuary Lakes.
With seven clubs making up this year’s Division Three competition, Albanvale will start its campaign in Round 2 after having the opening bye.
Across the season, four clubs will have three scheduled byes, with Braybrook, Tarneit and Wyndham Suns to have two.
“Due to the uneven amount of byes in the Division Three competition the ladder will operate using a match ratio (winning percentage) model rather than the competition points system,” Newton said.
With many clubs still recruiting players for its Under 18s and junior teams, the remaining fixtures are set to be released in the new year.
To see the complete senior fixtures for 2015, please click here…
Last Modified on 26/11/2014 16:34