Echuca South Recreation Reserve will host the Murray League curtain raiser, as the Eagles’ seniors hope to kick off their year successfully under new coach Francis Lias, who took on the role after the departure of Scott Beattie in the offseason.
“I know a lot of the guys, I coached quite a few of them in junior footy, and they were a great bunch of blokes,” Lias said.
“It was a good opportunity to work with my young bloke (Matt Lias).
“There were people at the club in coaching roles that I have respect for, that supported me and endorsed me, so that gave me a bit of confidence to move into that role.”
Lias takes over a United squad that looks to be on the upswing.
After finishing bottom in 2024 with only one win to its name, the club improved to 6-12 in its second season under Beattie in 2025, with Lias hoping to build on the foundations set in recent years.
“We just want to keep improving and focus on things that we can control,” he said.
“We've worked really hard over the preseason to bring some good people into the club on the field and off the field, with our recruits but also our fitness staff.
“We want to add another level of professionalism to our approach towards things, and make it a really enjoyable place to be.
“That’s our strength at the moment, our cohesion as a team.”
After beginning preseason in November, Lias has had several months to assess his squad and is looking forward to bringing on the current crop of young talent at the Eagles.
“One of our strengths is going to be the improvement of our current young players,” he said.
“Following on from 2025, I’m really keen to see what some young blokes like Jackson Lewis, Hunter Beveridge and Angus McMahon can bring.
“I think there's real scope for improvement just with those guys alone.”
Lias also highlighted some new recruits, Picola United’s reigning best-and-fairest Cody Haub and Lockington-Bamawm United transfer Jack Reiter, as key pieces to bolster the attacking end.
Elijah Bruns has also joined the club from LBU after missing a season with injury, Lias excited to see his work in the midfield this year.
Deniliquin looks a good early test for United’s 2026 squad, as the Rams finished level with United last season, also with a 6-12 record.
“We brought the pressure to the (preseason) game on Friday night,” Lias said.
“We lost a lot of close games last year and I believe that the league in general is going to improve this year so we need to improve with it as well.
“I say to the boys, if anyone’s going to beat us, they’re going to beat the best version of us.
“We’re just going to keep bringing the heat.”
Echuca United will open its 2026 campaign against Deniliquin Rams at Echuca South Recreation Reserve on Saturday, with the senior clash getting under way at 2pm.
