The Bulldogs open their campaign with a highly-awaited clash against Coolamon, when former co-coaches Jeremy Sykes and Mark Carroll will make their return to Maher Oval as part of the Hoppers set-up.

After winning one of six games in last year's AFL Riverina Championship, Mazzocchi has attracted several quality recruits in key positions they needed to bolster.

While there was little expectation on Turvey Park last season, with other teams boosting their squads with Ovens and Murray talent, Mazzocchi says the post season will be the initial aim.

"It's just a non negotiable that we play finals footy and once we get there, you don't put a limit on it," he said.

"I just hope we can win enough games to put us in a good position to have a crack at it.

We've got ourselves a really good first grade squad of 30-odd players now and that's what we thought we need to be successful. It's competing for spots and everyone will naturally lift themselves to better levels by doing that.

"We targeted the older and harder bodies who have played in premiership success before. We believe when we get to finals they'll have the knowledge and experience and the bodies to educate the other blokes on how to do it."

Five-time Ainslie premiership midfielder Ash Harris was the recruitment icing on the cake for the Bulldogs, who are still holding out hope Melbourne-based 2019 best and fairest winner Nathan Byrne will be in a position to return this year.

But that situation will be assessed much closer to the start of the season.

"I can't see us getting any assurances until closer to the season around the borders, it all can change so quickly," Mazzocchi said.

"That's something we've switched off a bit from, and won't put more energy into it until it's closer to the season."

Meanwhile, the Riverina and Farrer League draws were officially published this week.

Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong and Coolamon will both play four Riverina League home games on Sunday. Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes, who have raised their desire to play more Sunday matches to coincide with juniors and assist volunteers, will play away and home Sunday games against the Hoppers in round four and round 13 respectively.

The Farrer League will start on April 10, with the Riverina League commencing a week later.

ROUND ONE

Farrer League: Saturday, April 10: Coleambally v CSU at Coleambally; East Wagga-Kooringal v TRYC at Gumly Oval; Marrar v Northern Jets at Langtry Oval; Temora v North Wagga at Nixon Park.

Riverina League: Saturday, April 17: Collingullie-Glenfield Park v Griffith at Crossroads Oval; Leeton-Whitton v Wagga Tigers at Leeton Showground; Turvey Park v Coolamon Rovers at Maher Oval; Narrandera v GGGM at Narrandera Sportsground.

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