This will be the first outing for the Panthers this season as they look to find their feet early in the season while Hanwood will want to get some early points in the bag to help their ladder position come the end of the season.

The last time the Hanwood side made the finals was when they finished as minor premiers in the 2014/15 season meaning it has been five years since they have reached the business end of the season.

The thing Hanwood have working in their favour is the talented young cricketers coming through their club are able to gain valuable experience while the side strives to find consistency.

"We have few young boys who are really keen to play," Hanwood captain Charlie Cunial said.

"We can get them going and give some of the older boys a bit of a break."

Two of those youngsters, Ben Rowston and Oliver Bartter, featured in their opening round clash with the Cougars as they finished at the highest scorer for their side.

"We had Oliver playing with us for most of last year, and he did pretty well," he said.

"Ben is great because he can open the bowling as well."

It is Cunial's second year as captain of the Hanwood side after taking over from Dean Catanzariti, and Cunial is happy to still have the experience around him to offer advice.

"We still have Cati around as coaching and giving advice," he said.

"I'm still learning, but I'm confident and happy with how things are progressing.

Heading into the clash with the Panthers, Cunial wasn't sure what to expect.

"Not sure if they have picked anyone up over the break or anything like that," he said.

"They are a pretty young side just like us, and they will be looking to make a good start to their season."

Leagues who were hurt by injuries to key players last season will be looking to make the most of Ben Leach and Andrew Madden who both look set to make their return to the starting eleven with Logan Matheson is taking over the leadership permanently after filling in for much of last season.

The two sides were closely matched last season as they fought over fourth spot right until the final weeks of last season.

This game will be the first game to be played under lights in the top grade with play to get underway at 4.30pm on Saturday.

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