Maiden said most of his side's acquisitions will be on the paddock, including the returning Jackson Kelly and Brendan Myers and former Murray Magpies ruckman Tom Osmotherly.

"We just want to give the boys a bit of reward for the hard word they've been doing, put into practice what we've been working on and see whether we're heading down the right track," Maiden said.

It's five weeks before the Riverina League starts and four until round one of the Farrer League.

"We think it's going to be a pretty good hit-out for us. They've been strong for the last couple of years and talking to (coach) Kirk (Hamblin), they've had good numbers at training so we're expecting a good hit-out," Maiden said.

Tigers will take on Leeton-Whitton in the opening round of the season on April 13. 

The Crows are also having their first pre-season hit-out against Farrer League opposition on Saturday, taking on The Rock-Yerong Creek.

Magpies coach Tom Yates, heading into his third year at the helm, will be hoping to see some of their new faces catch the eye.

"It's a bit of an unknown but we'll be young and quick hopefully and see how we go," Yates said.

New faces Cody Cool, Jade Curtis, Jordan Prestage, Liam Paton, as well as former AFL player Ben Fixter will make their first appearances for TRYC.

Yates said they've also been heartened by the news Lachy Myers will be back for another season after originally looking like moving away.

The practice matches will be played according to the new rules that are in play this season. 

Yates said he hasn't placed much emphasis on them in the pre-season but says it will be interesting to observe the adjudication and interpretations and to watch in coming weeks whether teams try to take advantage of the changes. 

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