The Warriors kickstart their Warrnambool and District league season against reigning premier Merrivale desperate to end a run of five straight Easter holiday losses.

The two clubs are building a Good Friday rivalry, having first committed to the standalone concept in 2010.

Old Collegians coach Daryl Beechey said the Warriors, eager to build on their 2014 semi-final finish, were excited to start their season against a high-calibre opponent in front of what is predicted to be a large crowd at Merrivale Recreation Reserve.

“We have a better list this year and the boys are aware we haven’t been lucky enough to win a Good Friday game yet, so we have a point to prove,” he said.

Merrivale has crushed Old Collegians in the past two Good Friday fixtures.

The Tigers stormed to a 137-point win in 2013 and deflated the Davidson Oval-based club’s pre-season hype last year, recording a 53-point triumph in round four.

Beechey said the Warriors, who rallied after their hiccup last season to finish fifth, have developed significantly in the past 12 months.

“We improved a fair bit last year and are looking to take the next step,” he said. “We want to go up higher on the ladder than we finished last year.

“What we did well last year worked for us, we are not changing too much.

“We want to touch up on our skills — sometimes our foot skills let us down a bit — but a year of playing together will put us in good stead.”

Beechey said the Warriors prided themselves on having a strong ball-winning game-plan to complement their quick ball movement. 

He said those facets would be paramount against the Tigers.

“If we nullify their supply to Jet Dowie and Joe Woonton down forward it will go a long way towards us winning,” Beechey said.

The Warriors-Tigers fixture is the second of the Warrnambool and District season after Kolora-Noorat dismantled Deakin University on Saturday following the two clubs’ decision to move their match forward a week.

The four remaining games — all on Saturday — include clubs with new coaches.

Former North Warrnambool Eagles mentor David Haynes will lead Panmure against Allansford, returning Dennington coach Darcy Lewis has his Dogs primed for their battle with Nirranda, Timboon Demons, under new mentors Anthony Vogels and Matthew Whitehead, meet Russells Creek and incoming South Rovers coach Nathan Isles will make his debut against East Warrnambool.