Ex-GCA clubs Southern Titans and Hawkesdale gear up to contest Let's Talk Shield

Southern Titans - born out of a merger between Killarney and East Warrnambool - and Hawkesdale will on Saturday play for the Let's Talk Shield in a bid to raise awareness for mental health.

Killarney and Hawkesdale kick-started the initiative this past season - the Grassmere Cricket Assocaition's final campaign - and were determined to keep it going as they shifted into the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association for 2021-22.

Southern Titans co-president James Cole said both clubs strongly backed the foundation's cause.

"We just think it's a brilliant initiative to get behind. It's relevant to cricket, I suppose, regarding men's mental health but also everyone's mental health," Cole said.

"We're just trying to do our part to make people aware of it in our little circle.

"It's our sphere of influence, so to speak."

The clash, which will take place in the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association's division two, will feature full-strength sides.

Cole said Killarney and Hawkesdale had historically strong off-field ties.

"They're a great bunch of blokes and while they've had the wood over most teams they've played in the last few years, you never know what might happen with us being in a different association."

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