A mix of nail-biters and blow-outs marked Horsham District Football Netball League’s start last week.

Wimmera league commissioner Greg Schultz said last year’s senior football competition was the most even it had been in 25 years.

‘‘I think we’re looking forward to a similar season in 2015,’’ he said.

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Mr Schultz said he expected a strong battle for spots in the top four this year.

But he said it was hard to look past reigning premier Horsham as pre-season favourite to win the flag.

‘‘Horsham has lost a few of its juniors to the Rebels but it has plenty more coming through and will be very strong,’’ he said.

‘‘You can never rule out Horsham and you only have to look at last year, when it was 30 points down in the grand final.’’

Mr Schultz expects the 2014 grand finalists, Horsham Saints, Minyip-Murtoa and Ararat, to round out the top four.

‘‘I know the Saints will be burning with desire to win a premiership,’’ he said.

‘‘Minyip-Murtoa has recruited well and it is building a great club over there.’’

Minyip-Murtoa was the talk of the off-season, with many people tipping the team to be grand final contenders.

The Burras will face Horsham Saints on Saturday.

Mr Schultz flagged Ararat as a team likely to grow stronger this year.

‘‘Ararat keeps a low profile, but it recruited well and was hard to beat last year,’’ he said.

‘‘I think it will be a lot stronger this year. When it started winning away last year, it was a good sign it was on the improve.’’

Mr Schultz believes Warrack Eagles will be competitive but fade throughout the year.

‘‘Warrack has lost a few and I think it might drop off toward the end of the season,’’ he said.

‘‘Nhill will probably improve, and even though Dimboola has lost a few senior players, it has some juniors and recruits coming in.’’

Mr Schultz said Wimmera Football League would investigate ways to improve the competition off the field as well.

‘‘One of the ideas is to create a country AFL football museum at Horsham City Oval,’’ he said.

Mr Schultz, who has a keen interest in the history of footy in the Wimmera, said he had lots of things he would like to see in the museum.

‘‘I’ve got a lot of olds photos of players and plenty of paraphernalia,’’ he said.

‘‘I would like to see an honour board to celebrate past players who have gone on to play AFL.

‘‘You could also have an honour board for past players who lost their lives for king and country, because there were a lot of football players who were killed in action, and with Anzac Day coming up it is something to consider.’’

Anzac Day falls on a Saturday this year, which means all teams will face off.

Horsham Saints and Horsham Demons are typically the only two teams that play on Anzac Day each year.