We cast an eye over some of the mouth-watering contests 2019 has in store.

Round two: Koroit v Camperdown

If Camperdown is to build on its meteoric rise of 2018 next season, it’s going to have to go through five-time reigning premier Koroit.

The Magpies will visit the Saints at Victoria Park in round two for the grand final rematch.

New Camperdown co-coach Neville Swayn believes the Magpies, still hurting from their 11-point grand final defeat, will embrace the challenge.

“I reckon they (the players) will be looking forward to it,” the non-playing mentor said.

“It’s good to get it done early in the year, so we welcome that one.”

Koroit coach Chris McLaren the Saints had been on either side of a grand final rematch and a win or a loss “doesn’t change the (grand final) result”.

“I don’t know if it carries more weight to be honest,” he said.

“But it will be our first home game and it will add a little bit more because we will unfurl the flag.”

Round three: South Warrnambool v Koroit

The Roosters and Saints will go head-to-head in the only Hampden league match on Good Friday for the second year in a row.

It’s scheduled as a twilight fixture at Friendly Societies’ Park, an enticing prospect for fans.

“Last year was really good. It was a hot, windy day but there was a big crowd,” Saints coach Chris McLaren said.

“There’s potential on those days for a lot of people who aren’t South Warrnambool or Koroit supporters to come along.

“It’s like a final and the guys want to perform well.”

Round three: Hamilton Kangaroos v Portland

This fixture has become a staple on the Hampden league calendar.

The two former Western Border league clubs (Hamilton featured as the Imperials and Magpies in that competition) have a rivalry to maintain.

They played out a thriller in 2016 with the infamous ‘siren gate’ match.

The Kangaroos piled on six unanswered goals to snatch victory but it wasn’t without controversy. 

Round four: Cobden v Hamilton Kangaroos

Levi Dare spent two seasons as Cobden coach and will have thorough knowledge of the Bombers’ key playmakers when he faces his former club.

The Hamilton Kangaroos boom recruit knows he’ll be tested when his faces his protege Toby Hawkins.

“I have seen him two or three times since the end of the season and we’ve talked in jest about playing on each other,” Dare said.

“We used to train on each other so he knows a bit about how I go about it and I know a bit about how he goes about it.”

Dare, whose main aim is to “try and get myself right before round one”, said he was excited to faceoff against the Bombers.

“I don’t think I have ever played against a side I have played for before,” he said.

“I still hope Cobden does well to be honest. I hope they have a good season and (new coach Adam) Courtney does well.

“I still think they have a promising list. I still want to win that game (in round four) but I hope Cobden reaches their potential.”

Round five: Port Fairy v Camperdown

Camperdown proved to be Port Fairy’s downfall in 2018, forcing the Seagulls’ quest for a second flag to stretch into a 61^st season.

The Magpies scored a stunning 69-point win in round 18 and backed it up the following week in the qualifying final when they ran out 40-point victors.

The Seagulls’ season ended in a wind-affected preliminary final.

“We played them two weeks in a row which was a little different to the norm,” Camperdown co-coach Neville Swayn said.

“There is fire in the belly for us against Koroit and they (Port Fairy) will be similar in that regard with us.

“We probably cost them a grand final spot so they will be hungry.”

Round six: North Warrnambool Eagles v Koroit

New Eagles mentor Adam Dowie admits he was eager to find out when he’d face the Saints – a team he led to a hat-trick of premierships between 2014-16.

“You’ll run into people at Koroit you have such a close association with and have gone through so much with and all of a sudden you’re coaching against them,” the Saints life member said.

“I am apprehensive. No doubt the Koroit guys will find something a little bit extra too. I am looking forward to getting it out of the road.”

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