The Echuca Moama United Masters Football Club’s preparations will ramp up on Saturday, with the EMUs taking on a combined GV Giants and Kerang Swan Hill Rams side.
The game will be played at Jack Eddy Oval from 2pm.
Following the match the club will host a reunion dinner at Rich River Golf Club, which will include a presentation evening, beginning at 6pm.
EMUs vice president Justin Voss said the club was looking forward to the season kicking off.
‘‘The expectation for this hit out is that everyone is going to put their heads down and have a bit of fun playing,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s always competitive in our games. No one is going out there to lose, but there is a bit more fun and enjoying each other’s company.’’
Voss said that while the club was in a good position in terms of their list, they would love to have more players join the side.
‘‘We have pretty healthy numbers currently,’’ he said.
‘‘But we can always do with some new faces coming in and being a part of the club. We’d love to see some of the younger blokes who are maybe running around having a kick in the twos make their way across and have a kick with us.
‘‘It’s a good opportunity for them to give their bodies a bit of a rest and put a bit of the fun back in football for them.’’
Masters is typically open to players over the age of 35, though allowances are made for some younger players, as well as for international players.
Following the game, the club will hold their reunion dinner for all past and present Masters players at Rich River Golf Club.
‘‘We are looking for anyone from the Echuca Eagles days through to the EMUs to join us for the night,’’ he said.
‘‘We will be running the dinner with our jumper presentation, as well as the awarding of the Tool of the Century, Burn the Mates of the Century and Best Club Man of the Century.’’
While the games may be a bit slower and less serious, the EMUs provide players an opportunity to learn from the best.
‘‘A lot of these guys have played a lot of football, some for 200 or 300 games. There are a lot of people out there who can tell you how good they were, but I can guarantee that the Masters players are more than happy to tell you how good they still are.’’
The season proper for the EMUs kicks off on March 31 at Echuca South Recreation Reserve against the Samaria Suns Masters.