Mathoura Recreation Reserve will be the place to be this Saturday.
After a promising round one showing against 2022 Picola District Football League finalist Katamatite, the Timbercutters will come into their blockbuster Easter weekend clash against Picola United with confidence.
And with a former AFL star joining its ranks for the big game, excitement is at fever pitch in the Mathoura community.
Brownlow medallist and Collingwood premiership player Dane Swan will don the Timbercutters jumper for a one-off appearance against United, dialling the anticipation up to 11.
“Everyone’s really excited,” Mathoura coach Tim McCormick said.
“There’s a lot of interest around town. (Dane) played for the Western Rams last week and by all reports, he was all but best on ground for them and got through unscathed.
“Hopefully he turns it on this weekend.”
McCormick said Swan looked likely to slot into the Timbercutters' forward line, but he won’t be the only addition for the squad that fell by 17 points to the Tigers on Saturday.
Captain Matt Wild will suit up for his first game of the season, while vice-captain Tom Creighton also makes his return.
McCormick is hoping that a mix of the key additions and a massive home crowd will give his side that extra boost against the Blues, who were 135-point winners over Yarroweyah in round one.
“With those two and Swanny it bolsters us a bit,” McCormick said.
“We're really looking forward to it. Picola’s always been a tough match-up, they’re structured pretty well.
“We have to be at our best to get over the line in front of what should be a massive crowd.”
The clash looks poised to be more competitive than the last hit-out between the two sides, a 149-point victory to United in round 14 last season.
Mathoura showed plenty last week, closing the gap on Katamatite considerably on the back of strong performances from key recruits Jacob Simpson and Aron Burns (four goals).
“(Katamatite) beat us by 160 points last year,” McCormick said.
“To get within 17 points and come home with a wet sail and kick four goals to one in the last quarter was excellent. Our commitment and effort at the footy were great all day.
“It was just a half of footy that cost us a bit, but we were up to our eyeballs for most of the game.”
And after struggling to cobble together a side in 2022, Mathoura’s reserve’s squad opened its account with a thrilling four-point win over the Tigers, with McCormick lauding the Timbercutters’ first win on the footy field for 2023.
Off the field, Mathoura Recreation Reserve will be buzzing.
The clash will kick off at 2.05pm on Saturday, April 8, with bar services open from 12.30pm and action on the football field kicking off from 10.40am with the under-17s.
The netball courts will also be pumping in round two, with clashes starting at 9.30am.