Club president Garry Arkin said it was “shaping as a great afternoon and night of football” as five games will be played at the Bega Recreeation Ground. 

Arkin said the first grade match could be a real crowd-pleaser as the Bulldogs make an emphatic return.

“The Dogs caused a major surprise in accounting for traditional rival, the Edens Tigers,” he said. 

“Both sides have a blend of youth and experience, but Bega is on its home turf  and ready to face the challenge.” 

Team manager for the Roosters Jeff Apps said the squad had prepared well and would be ready to put aside the challenge from the Dogs. 

“We have a good interchange bench to compliment our hardworking pack, which will once again be headed by Jeb White Joe Aldridge and Mitch Carter,” Apps said. 

“The club received a boost with the return of Adam Blacka and also Craig Matthews had his first hit out at training this week.”

James Duncan, James Bower-Scott and Tate Cochrane add plenty of exciting youth. 

Earlier matches include the reserve grade, which has the hallmarks of a true contest. 

The defending premier Panthers face off against the Bega squad that blew away Narooma in the opener. 

The Panthers had a solid game despite losing to the strong Eden roster. 

Bega captain-coach Wayne Northey will lead proceedings from the front, while the halves combination of Michael Barnden and Jack McDonald can set up plays from either side of the ruck. 

 “Shaun Bateman and Jay Elliott were in good form last week and a repeat dose from them should see the Roosters extend the premiers,” Arkin said. 

  Candelo-Bemboka will be lead by captain-coach Jake McDonald, while Grant Moon is a dangerous addition to the line-up. 

This week also sees the expected return of Ben O’Reilly and Brock Ringland to bolster the Panthers’ roster. 

Meanwhile, Arkin joked that many fans are scratching their heads in regards to the league-tag contest. 

Merimbula-Pambula and Candelo-Bemboka both have women’s teams, leaving the hosts to play two games. 

Bega coach Kane Morgan said, while it is a disadvantage, he is adamant that the Chicks have prepared well and will be up for the challenge. 

“Our girls wont take a backward step and know they face a challenge in their endurance to play two different sides on the same day,” Morgan said.

“But our fitness is the best its been, we have put our opening round loss behind us and concentrated on the things we do well this week and I can tell the Bega fans that our girls are ready to give a great account of themselves in both games. 

“We have a good structure in place its up to the girls to stick to that and if they do they will come out on top.”

Merimbula-Pambula have been described as big improvers this season, but took a narrow loss to Eden last week. 

Meanwhile, the Candelo-Bemboka Pink Panthers will be spearheaded by Caitlin Johnson and Kirsty Mcpaul, while Chloe Lucas is in good form. 

The Chicks will look to senior players again to lead the way and open up opportunities for the likes of the Dummett girls Lily Warby Madison Parbery and the hard-working Sarah Lucas. 

An unfortunate scheduling mix-up will see the Batemans Bay under 18s unable to field a side due to weekend work commitments. 

However, the Mark Hart under 18 Roosters will play an exhibition match to keep fans entertained. 

The Chicks play Merimbula-Pambula at 2pm, under 18s from 3pm then the Pink Panthers v the Chicks from 4.30pm. 

The reserves kick-off at 5.30pm and 7pm is the kick-off time for the headline first grade match.