Captain and representative player Haydn Pascoe has been ruled out for the season following an off-season injury on the hockey field.

The talented player will be left to watch the action from the sidelines on Saturday during the club’s first match against Hanwood at Hanwood Oval.

Rob Rand will take the captain’s job for the season and he said losing Pascoe was a “big blow”.

“He’s been the captain for the last five years or so,” he said.

“We’ll just have to take [the season] as it comes.”

While Hanwood finished fifth last year, Rand said the team wouldn’t be expecting an easy time on the pitch.

“We’ll have to work hard for the win,” he said.

Rand said it would there’s a chance for players to distinguish themselves on the field.

“We have a few new faces and a couple who have come up from second grade,” he said.

“They’ll have the chance to step up on the weekend.”

Among those with the chance to shine is Dean Bennett, who will start his second year of A Grade cricket.

“He’s an all-rounder, he bats at number three and bowls off breaks,” Rand said.

The Coro Cougars finished runners-up last year and Rand is hoping the team can go one better this year.

“The competition was pretty even last year, all five teams played well,” Rand said.

“We’ll battle it out for the top four and then see what happens.”

While the Coro Cougars play Hanwood, Exies Club and League Panthers will meet each other for the first time at Exies No 2 Oval, with Exies Diggers enjoying a first round bye.