The magic of the Australia Cup is around the corner with the Goulburn Valley-based sides’ round one opponents announced.
It’s a double act with the first seven rounds of the Dockerty Cup competition serving as preliminary rounds of the Australia Cup.
Shepparton United was the first of the local teams drawn from the pot on Wednesday afternoon, but the Blues will have to wait for their first taste of cup action as they’ll assume the bye in round one.
Newly-promoted Bendigo Amateur Soccer League division one outfit Shepparton Soccer Club was next to be plucked out, with a home game on the cards.
The Reds will host State League Five South side Pakenham United, a team that rounded out the 2023 SL5S season in 10th.
Following Shepparton was Shepparton South, which has also drawn a home game in the opening leg of the cup.
The Southerners will welcome State League Four South opposition Baxter Soccer Club.
Baxter sidled up in third in the SL4S ladder last season.
The second round draw directly followed the round one slate, with Shepparton United to play the winner of Melton Phoenix and Elwood City.
Should Shepparton SC progress, it will meet either Moreland Eagles or Old Ivanhoe while victory for Shepparton South will spell a date with Point Cook.
Tatura Soccer Club, a usual Australia Cup entrant, will not feature due to not entering this year’s edition.
Meanwhile, the Goulburn Valley Suns will enter the cup draw at a later round due to their higher ranking as a Victorian Premier League Two side.