ST ALBANS pioneered the reintroduction of Friday night football in the Western Region Football League last season.
Now the Saints will break new ground again next March when they kick off their 2013 campaign with a Good Friday twilight game against Hoppers Crossing.
Saints president Vern Ryan said it was the brainchild of senior coach Ian Denny to explore new ways to generate interest in the club and the competition, and he’s thrilled that Hoppers Crossing will come to the party.
“He was the one who came up with the idea,” Ryan said. “It’s something outside the square.”
Football on the religious holiday is not played at the AFL level, meaning a big football-hungry crowd should throng Kings Park Reserve.
The Saints will respect the meaning of the day and not schedule matches until 2pm, beginning with the under-18s and followed by the reserves and seniors.
They will follow up with a Friday night game against Deer Park on April 12.
For Hoppers Crossing, it will be the perfect stage to unveil boom recruits Brodie Moles and James Mulligan, both former Western Bulldogs.
The remaining teams will start their campaigns on April 13 with the blockbuster of the round pitting premiers Altona against Spotswood in a grand final rematch at Grant Reserve.
Opening round
Division 1: St Albans v Deer Park; Altona v Spotswood; Hoppers Crossing v Port Melbourne Colts; Sunshine v Albion; Yarraville-Seddon v North Footscray
Division 2: Albanvale v North Sunshine; Glenorden v West Footscray; Manor Lakes v Laverton Magpies; Parkside v Braybrook; Sanctuary Lakes v Sunshine Heights; Wyndhamvale v Caroline Springs
