The Blues are yet to play in 2021, while Elmore has played two games - the standalone clash with White Hills on Good Friday and the round one game against Colbinabbin last Saturday.

"It's not an advantage or disadvantage having the bye round one,'' Walsh said.

"It is an advantage for Elmore that they've played two games and we've played none.

"It's an extra two full games that they've played. What that means on Saturday, I don't know.

"Elmore had a real crack against Colbo and they've got some good players that can be dangerous if they get their hands on the ball.

"Potentially, Elmore has a really dangerous forward line with (Joe) Harney and young (Mitch) Cricelli."

Mounts are seen as a genuine premiership contender on the back of a trip to the preliminary final in 2019 and a strong recruiting campaign over the past 18 months.

Walsh said pre-season talk and hype counts for little once the ball is bounced.

"It's our first game and we've done nothing as yet, so we have to go out there and play our brand of football,'' he said.

"Hopefully, in terms of the four points that looks after itself.

"I'd like to think our preparation and recruits will have us in good stead, but it might take us until round five or six to click or it might take us to the second half of the year to click.

"We have seven or eight new players in the team from the 2019 preliminary final, so that's good for us."

The most high-profile of Mounts' recruits - BFNL Michelsen Medal-winner Adam Baird - is sidelined because of suspension.

His older brother, Travis, will play in round one against the Bloods.

Injury concerns hampered Travis Baird in his last few seasons at Golden Square.

"I had to tell Trav to slow down during the practice matches because he was going too hard,'' Walsh said.

"That's Trav for you, once he steps on the field he goes as hard as he can.

"We'll manage his body through the year, but right now he's feeling fresh and ready to go."

In other round two games on Saturday, North Bendigo makes the long trip to Leitchville, Huntly is at home to Heathcote and top three contenders Colbinabbin and LBU meet at Colbinabbin.

Tips - Adam Bourke: Mounts, North Bendigo, Huntly, LBU.

Luke West: Mounts, North Bendigo, Huntly, LBU.

Read more: Previews of a big weekend of country footy

ROUND TWO TEAMS

ELMORE v. MOUNT PLEASANT

Elmore

B: Z. Holmberg, C. Wilson, T. Oliver

HB: B. Makepeace, Z. Laffy, B. Boyack

C: N. Palmer, D. Oaff, I. Fuller

HF: S. Lees, J. Harney, N. Kellow

F: D. Friedberger, M. Cricelli, F. Priest

R: D. Gordon, M. Gilmour, L. Gundry

Int: M. Thomson, H. Grogan, J. Atkinson, J. Grogan

In: J. Grogan, Z. Laffy

Out: C. Beckmans, J. Harney

Mount Pleasant

B: F. Cole, D. Young, C. Moore

HB: T. Baird, J. Connelly, L. Marchesi

C: Z. Murrell, L. Collins, R. McNamara

HF: J. Roney, D. Davie, J. Hamilton

F: R. Deacon, J. Whiting, B. Weightman

R: M. Bennett, B. Mahony, J. Tuohey

Int: J. Teasdale, B. Dorrington, B. Hinneberg, M. Whiting

Emg: N. Edwards, D. Whiting

LOCKINGTON BAMAWM UNITED v. COLBINABBIN

Lockington Bamawm United

B: B. Phillips, R. Woodland, T. Eade

HB: T. Phillips, T. Holman, J. Mundie

C: J. Wolfe, L. Atherton, M. Angove

HF: T. Leech, P. Gardiner, J. Gardiner

F: J. Collins, J. Bacon, B. McPhee

R: J. Howlett, B. Collins, N. Bacon

Int: J. McPhee, S. Brentnall, L. Main, L. Collins

In: L. Main, B. Phillips, T. Phillips, T. Holman

Out: S. Wolfe, T. Bacon, D. Keath, B. Ventura

Colbinabbin

B: N. Knight, J. Lawless, H. McMurtrie

HB: T. Hill, D. Hill, P. O'Brien

C: S. Bromley, L. Fitzgerald, S. Vale

HF: T. Clarke, D. Price, S. Ryan

F: N. Fitzgerald, M. Riordan, J. Brain

R: L. Sirett, L. Ezard, L. Fitzgerald

Int: A. Van Ruiswyk, G. McMurtrie, S. Tuohey

HUNTLY v. HEATHCOTE

Huntly

B: S. Fiske, T. Miles, J. Harris

HB: J. Mcdonald, S. Kairn, J. Maher

C: J. Cordy, R. Semmel, J. Formosa

HF: F. Campbell , L. Jones, J. Greenwood

F: M. Jeffries, J. Burns, J. Semmel

R: A. Daniels, B. Ryan-Storey, J. Cowling

Int: B. Dimech, H. Campbell, C. Aldous, L. Semmel

In: F. Campbell

Out: L. Brook

Heathcote

B: W. Long, R. Bailey, B. Price

HB: D. Hardy, J. Langford, C. Price

C: K. Cavallaro, J. Condon, J. Shaw

HF: J. Cavallaro, B. Connelly, M. McLean

F: T. Pain, L. Piccolo, J. Jones

R: J. Marcroft, D. McLean, J. Paisley

In: J. Brooks, K. Cavallaro

Out: M. Mikic, J. Bailey

LEITCHVILLE GUNBOWER v. NORTH BENDIGO

Leitchville Gunbower

B: T. Duncan, H. Bussey, A. Keath

HB: B. Taylor, N. McLellan, X. Colvin

C: W. O'Shea, J. Hawken, T. Brereton

HF: B. Hawken, D. Elliott, Z. Ellwood

F: A. Windridge, A. Walton, C. Van Florestein

R: L. Pollock, W. Brereton, B. Johnson

Int: B. Gelletly, D. Bruns, H. Wright, M. McLellan

In: B. Taylor, W. Brereton

Out: J. Barrat, R. Bradley

North Bendigo

Not supplied

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