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DAWN IS ABOUT TO BREAK

Boots are polished, dresses are pressed and the air is charged with anticipation — it’s not the night before the ball however; football-netball season is upon us.

As we creep closer to winter, thousands of keen athletes

across our region champ at the bit to retake the field or court in hopes of creating history. But it will take some doing to one-up the storylines that emerged from 2023.

For the first time in recent memory, all four senior football sides from throughout the leagues featured in this magazine secured back-toback premierships.

The netball ran a di erent trend, with none of the 2022 flag-holders retaining their prize the following season.

Rest assured, the coming season will be a huge one.

So read up, cast your predictions and come along for the ride

Contributors: Liam Nash, Marcus Beeck, Jesse Robertson-Torres, Alexander Dabb, Matthew Kappos, Oliver Shedden, Hamish Donaldson, Rohan Aldous, Tyler Maher, Taylah Baker, Gus Underwood.

Photographers: Megan Fisher, Rechelle Zammit, Bruce Povey, Aidan Briggs, Aydin Payne, Zac Standish, Daniel Webb, James Kleeman, Cath Grey, Steve Huntley, Rodney Braithwaite, Karl Phillipson, Ray Sizer, Holly Daniel, Rohan Aldous, Max Stainkamph, Julie Mercer, Tyler Maher, Brenden Paddock, Wayne Herring, Jamie Lowe, Laura Green, Margo Gregory, Blake Humphries, AAP. Advertising inquiries: Leonie Limosani, 5820 3157

Published by Shepparton News Melbourne Rd, Shepparton Phone 5831 2312

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7 GV Giants Masters 58

Liam Nash

News sports reporter

PREMIERS

GVFL: Euroa

GVNL: Euroa

MFL: Congupna

MNL: Nathalia

KDFL: Lancaster

KDNL: Tallygaroopna

PDFL: Waaia

PDNL: Strathmerton

Morrison Medal: Will Hayes (Euroa)

Wellman Medal: Molly Boyle (Tatura)

GVFL leading goal-kicker: Tristan Davies (Euroa)

Story of the year prediction: Euroa comes from behind in a 2022 grand rematch against Echuca, the Magpies breaking their premiership drought with a goal after the siren.

Tyler Maher

PREMIERS

GVFL: Seymour

GVNL: Tatura

MFL: Congupna

MNL: Nathalia

KDFL: Tallygaroopna

KDNL: Tallygaroopna

PDFL: Katamatite

PDNL: Waaia

Morrison Medal: David Mundy (Seymour)

Wellman Medal: Dayna Williams (Mooroopna)

GVFL league goal-kicker: Joel Brett (Shepparton)

Story of the year prediction: The Bears getting the 2018 band back together will propel them back towards a GVL grand final appearance.

Je

PREMIERS

GVFL: Echuca

GVNL: Mooroopna

MFL: Congupna

MNL: Deniliquin Rams

KDFL: Lancaster

KDNL: Tallygaroopna

PDFL: Waaia

PDNL: Deniliquin Rovers

Morrison Medal: Sam Willoughby (Echuca)

Wellman Medal: Elsie Boyer (Tatura)

GVFL leading goal-kicker: Ben Christopher (Mansfield) Story of the year prediction: Mundy-mania grips Seymour at finals time, as the Dockers legend provides the catalyst for a mighty Lions grand final run with a string of stirring September performances.

PREMIERS

GVFL: Echuca

GVNL: Echuca

MFL: Moama

MNL: Tongala

KDFL: Lancaster

KDNL: Shepparton East

PDFL: Strathmerton

PDNL: Deni Rovers

Morrison Medal: Sam Reid (Echuca)

Wellman Medal: Mia Sudomirski (Euroa)

GVFL leading goal-kicker: Jett Trotter (Euroa)

Story of the year prediction: Eagles legend Scott Beattie lifts Echuca United into the Murray League top six in his first season back at the club.

PREMIERS

GVFL: Echuca

GVNL: Echuca

MFL: Mulwala

MNL: Deniliquin

PREMIERS

GVFL: Seymour

GVNL: Euroa

MFL: Congupna

MNL: Deniliquin

KDFL: Shepparton East

KDNL: Tallygaroopna

PDFL: Katandra

PDNL: Katandra

Morrison Medal: Will Hayes (Euroa)

Wellman Medal: Elsie Boyer (Tatura)

GVFL leading goal-kicker: Joel Brett (Shepparton)

Story of the year prediction: In a David and Goliath grand final, an underdog will rain on Echuca’s triple premiership parade.

PREMIERS

GVFL: Echuca

GVNL: Echuca

MFL: Moama

MNL: Tongala

KDFL: Stanhope

KDNL: Tallygaroopna

PDFL: Waaia

PDNL: Strathmerton

Morrison Medal: Will Hayes (Euroa)

Wellman Medal: Asha Gray (Mooroopna)

GVFL leading goal-kicker: Jett Trotter (Euroa)

Story of the year prediction: Tongala hold o Deniliquin Rams again to claim back-to-back Murray Netball League titles.

KDFL: Lancaster

KDNL: Girgarre

PDFL: Strathmerton

PDNL: Katandra

Morrison Medal: Sam Reid (Echuca)

Wellman Medal: Sarah Szczykulski (Seymour)

GVFL leading goal-kicker: Jett Trotter (Euroa)

Story of the year prediction: Lancaster win the Kyabram District League senior football premiership and make it three in a row.

GVL F TBA LA ER

PREMIERS

GVFL: Echuca

GVNL: Euroa

MFL: Moama

MNL: Moama

KDFL: Lancaster

KDNL: Tallygaroopna

PDFL: Tungamah

PDNL: Katunga

Morrison Medal: Mitch Cricelli (Rochester)

Wellman Medal: Hollie Reid (Euroa)

League goal-kicker: Jarrad Waite (Benalla)

Story of the year prediction: A loaded up Tatura to make its presence felt and play finals.

PREMIERS

GVFL: Euroa

GVNL: Shepparton

MFL: Moama

MNL: Nathalia

KDFL: Shepparton East

KDNL: Shepparton East

PDFL: Tungamah

PDNL: Strathmerton

Morrison Medal: Jack Hellier (Euroa)

Wellman Medal: Elsie Boyer (Tatura)

GVFL leading goal-kicker: Joel Brett (Shepparton)

Story of the year: Stacey Thompson leads Shepparton to that elusive first A-grade netball premiership.

14

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GVL TO BE A BLOCKBUSTER PREMIER 2023

As the Goulburn Valley League season draws nearer, one sentiment hangs heavy on the lips of football and netball fans throughout the region—can anyone hunt down Echuca?

The Murray Bombers were too good in 2023, raking in the reward as they scooped both the senior football and A-grade netball flags in style.

Challengers will come thick and fast at Echuca’s neck, though, with some new faces to boot.

Last season’s Morrison Medallist Jack O’Sullivan has departed the league but Seymour has plugged the gap with AFL great David Mundy in the highest-profile deal inked over the o -season.

In the netball, Euroa seeks to avenge last season’s grand final heartache with a new addition in ex-Kyabram gun Hollie Reid among an

already formidable squad. The storyline reads like this: Echuca has a target on its back—which club (if any) can knock the bottle greens o their perch?

MO ISON MEDA ISTS

2023: Jack O’Sullivan (Seymour)

2022: Ben Rigoni (Seymour)

2021: Jack O’Sullivan (Seymour)

2019: Mick Mattingly (Kyabram)

2018: Nik Rokahr (Shepparton) and Sam Martin (Benalla)

2017: Simon Buckley (Echuca)

2016: Simon Buckley (Echuca)

2015: Ash Watson (Rochester)

2014: Will Martiniello (Benalla)

2013: Luke Morgan (Benalla)

WE MAN FAMILY MEDA ISTS

2023: Sarah Sczcykulski (Seymour)

2022: Jessie Barnes (Shepparton United)

2021: Jessie Barnes (Shepparton United)

2019: Jessie Barnes (Shepparton United)

2018: Emma Ryan (Tatura)

2017: Steph Vick (Kyabram)

2016: Steph Vick (Kyabram)

2015: Elle McDonald (Seymour)

2014: Jacinta Todd (Shepparton)

2013: Jade Heinrich (Mansfield)

LA ER PREDICTIONS:

FOOTBALL

1: Echuca

2: Euroa

3: Seymour

4: Kyabram

5: Mansfield

6: Mooroopna

7: Tatura

8: Shepparton

9: Shepparton Swans

10: Rochester

11: Shepparton United

12: Benalla

NETBALL

1: Euroa

2: Mooroopna

3: Echuca

4: Tatura

5: Seymour

6: Shepparton

7: Shepparton United

8: Shepparton Swans

9: Rochester

10: Kyabram

11: Benalla

12: Mansfield

PAST PREMIERS:

FOOTBALL

2023: Echuca

2022: Echuca

2019: Kyabram

2018: Shepparton

2017: Kyabram

NETBALL

2023: Echuca

2022: Seymour

2019: Seymour

2018: Echuca

2017: Kyabram

Murray Bombers assault

DATA POINTS

2023

HIT OUTS TO

Liam

Kyle Clarke

BENA A

FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1896 TO 1946, 1998 TO PRESENT

NICKNAME: SAINTS HOME GROUND: BENALLA SHOWGROUNDS

COACH: JARRAD WAITE PRESIDENT: GEOFF HILL PREMIERSHIPS: 1940, 2015 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: T. PASQUALI (1999), R. PRIEST (2008 JOINT), L. MORGAN (2013), W. MARTINIELLO (2014), S. MARTYN (2018 JOINT)

2023 FINISH: 12TH (3-15) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: JORDAN WOLFF

2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: JARRAD WAITE (27)

The 2023 season is one the Saints will want to forget in a hurry.

Benalla claimed the unwanted title of wooden spoon winner, tasting victory only three times during the season.

With co-coaches Will Martiniello and Mark McKenzie stepping away from their roles at the end of the 2023 season, ex-Carlton and North Melbourne forward Jarrad Waite has taken on the top job.

Having grown up in Benalla, Waite is hoping he can entice a number of local talents back to the club.

“The boys have really bought into the preseason,” Waite said.

“Chris Welsh, our captain, has been training really well and sets the standards for everyone.

“I think we’ve got a really good mixture of getting a couple of key players back to the club and

then also a couple of young kids coming through that are hopefully going to play a lot for us this year.”

Bringing the experienced ruckman Mark Marriott and 2022 Ovens and Murray Premiership player Patrick Warner back into the Saints fold is a show of intent from Benalla.

The number of re-signings is also a testament to the current players’ belief in Waite.

“We want to play finals. We’re there, but we obviously understand we’re a young team,” Waite said

“I think we can really tweak a couple of areas that we probably let ourselves down in last year, and we’ve identified them.

“I’m working on that in regards to how we want to play. I think we can stop the opposition from scoring a little bit more.”

JARRAD WAITE 2023 SEASON STATS

INS: Mark Marriott (Cobden Bombers), Patrick Warner (Wangaratta Magpies)

OUTS: Brody Webster (Violet Town), Tom O’Brien (overseas), Joshua Marchbank (retired) Average per

Jarrad Waite

2023topperformers (average per game)

Disposals:

Chris Welsh 25.6

Contestedpossessions:

Will Martiniello 12.4

Interceptpossessions:

David Mennen 6.6

Marks:

Brody Webster 6.3

Tackles:

James Martiniello4.2

Rebound50s:

Jordan Wol 6.8

Inside50s:

Jakob Salmi 6

DataPoints:

Chris Welsh 98.9

Clearances:

Chris Welsh 5.2

Pressureacts:

Nick Mellington 4.1

BENA A NETBA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: JO TOMS 2023 FINISH: 11TH (2-16)

2023 was a di cult season for the Saints, with only a couple of wins to their name.

But, when things don’t go your way, the only thing you can do is put your head down and work harder than everyone else.

The Benalla netballers had a short o -season and got straight back into fitness-based training.

A-grade coach Jo Toms described that the Saints were on the rise once again, and the numbers turning up to training is evidence of this.

“We have been training for quite a while,” Toms said.

“We had a nice little break over Christmas and have been training twice a week since

mid-January, having a focus on our fitness, selecting our teams, and now working on our team strategy.

“We’ve had some amazing numbers over the month.

We’ve got under-15s back this year, which is really exciting.

“So we’re seeing some previous players come back, we’re seeing new people come to the club, and then some existing people are backing up from last.

“It should be quite a competitive team.

“We’ve got new coaches, with the new team and a really good, strong netball focus, and we’re all working together to get the job done.”

Natalie Pritchard

Pat Warner

Chris Welsh

FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1909-1942, 1974-PRESENT

NICKNAME: MURRAY BOMBERS HOME GROUND: VICTORIA PARK COACHES: ANDREW WALKER AND SIMON MADDOX PRESIDENT: JUSTIN HATFIELD PREMIERSHIPS: 1977, 1979, 2001, 2002, 2022, 2023 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: S.EISHOLD (1995 JOINT), S.ORR (1997), C.SHOLL (2001), R. ARCHARD (2003 JOINT), C.DURIE (2006), K.HEIGHT (2010), S.BUCKLEY (2016-17) 2023 FINISH: PREMIER (20-1) 2023 BEST AND FAIREST: SAM REID 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: WILL MONAHAN (41)

The reigning back-to-back premiers are set for more of the same this season, with the squad remaining relatively unchanged in 2024.

The Murray Bombers’ 2023 season was even more impressive than in 2022, with the side rampaging to its second straight title with a six-goal grand final victory over Kyabram.

Sam Reid is stepping away from the coaches chair but will remain a key figure on the park, leaving the 2022 title winning duo of Simon Maddox and Andrew Walker at the helm with perhaps an even stronger squad than the one that led them to the premiership last campaign.

“Last year’s under 18’s won the premiership so those kids are really pushing through and made it really clear they want to play senior footy,” Maddox said.

we’re looking forward to the challenge that the other side’s bring.”

With no major departures and the return of 2022 premiership alum Daniel Willis, the Murray Bombers are poised to make a deep run once again as they search for an elusive three-peat, last achieved by the 2005–07 Seymour side.

“We’ll go in with a similar mindset (to last year), nothings set in stone until we’re playing finals so our first goal will be the win enough games to get us to finals,” Maddox said.

“Once we’ve done that, we’ll start to map a plan to hopefully be the premiers, but a lot of water to go under the bridge before we talk about that sort of stu .

“So there’s a good environment at the moment that’s conducive to challenging each other.

“I think we’ve got the strongest squad with we’ve had under mine and Andrew’s tenure and

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Daniel Willis (Murrumbeena)

OUTS: None Average per game

“We’ve had a long pre-season like everyone else, and when you see the AFL on TV just starting, our guys are ready to play footy now as well.

“We’re fully fit, and we’ve got everyone on the track, and football can’t come quick enough for us now.”

Sam Reid

2023topperformers

(average per game)

Disposals:

Sam Reid 26.1

Contestedpossessions:

Sam Reid 14.1

Interceptpossessions:

Logan Prout 8.7

Marks:

Angus Byrne 8.5

Tackles:

Sam Willoughby 7.3

Rebound50s:

Curtis Townrow 3.9

Inside50s:

Sam Willoughby 4.8

DataPoints:

Sam Reid 134.8

Clearances:

Sam Reid 7.6

Pressureacts:

Jackson Stewart 3.5

Willis

Echuca ruled the Goulburn Valley League last season to claim its first A-grade flag since 2018, following a sensational come from behind win over Euroa in the grand final.

After a slow start the Murray Bombers, led by coach Belinda Lees, roared home with a blistering second half of the season to win 12 of their last 13 games, and look set to keep that momentum going.

Lees has recommitted as coach, ensuring her wealth of experience that includes five GVL A-grade premierships will once again benefit the entire squad at Victoria Park.

Echuca enjoy the luxury of having established superstars

such as Ash Mangan, Steph Vick, Lauren Jones and Sheridan Townrow scattered all over the court, but also have a youthful crop ready to make their mark.

Young guns such as Raina Fimmel and Lily Devlin, as well as Jorja and Lilli Oliver, will only add to the excitement that the club holds for the season ahead, with all of them playing important roles throughout last season, and are now primed to take the next step.

The A-grade side should also benefit this season from a strong overall netball program at Victoria Park, which saw the Murray Bombers seal the 2023 B-reserve crown while also making the decider in B-grade.

Belinda Lees

Daniel

Riley Smith

FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1971 NICKNAME: MAGPIES

HOME GROUND: MEMORIAL OVAL COACH: RYAN PENDLEBURY

PRESIDENT: SCOTT WATSON PREMIERSHIPS: 1971, 1990

MORRISON MEDALLISTS: ADAM BARKER (1998) 2023 FINISH: THIRD (14-7)

2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: WILL HAYES 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: JETT TROTTER (55)

There’s no shortage of excitement emerging from electric-factory Euroa this season.

A changing of the guard sees Ryan Pendlebury replace Scott Rowan as head coach, while a vein of fresh faces compliments Euroa’s healthy list re-signing.

Keeping Will Hayes, Andrew Smith, Jett Trotter et al is as good as any new blood, though Magpies have plenty of that too with the well-accredited Michael Barnes and Silver Yousif heading to Memorial Oval.

Throw in the returning Garside brothers and Jack Hellier, and Pendlebury isn’t shy to say his side is here to cause a stir this season.

“Our aspirations; we obviously want to win,” he said.

“I think the team balance will be a little bit better; we were a bit big last time.

“Even the people around the town, people are getting back to the club so I think the town’s aspirations are equally as high as all us boys.”

Youth is a policy Euroa can bank on in any case this season.

The Magpies possess game-breaking youngsters in the form of Cohen Paul and Darby Wilson, though Pendlebury doesn’t expect to see much out of the duo due to ongoing Murray Bushrangers commitments.

However, in the instance of a few others, the Bushrangers’ loss is Euroa’s gain.

“The main ones will be the three which missed out on the Bushies; Ryan Hill, Will Creevey and Mitch Walters—Mitch in particular as we didn’t see him much last year as he was with the Bushies,” Pendlebury said.

“We’ve been so close since COVID I guess, and they were winning that year.

PLAYER CHANGES

“He’s been training and he looks really good, he looks like he’s going to play every week.”

INS: Dan Garside, Tom Garside, Michael Barnes (St Bede’s), Silver Yousif (Avondale Heights), Jack Hellier

OUTS: Ben Giobbi, Adam Giobbi (North Heidelberg), Erish Uthayakumar (Chelsea)

Jett Trotter Average

2023topperformers (average

Fifteen minutes. It’s not a huge amount of time, but it was enough to prevent Euroa from winning its first premiership in 40 years as Echuca finished with a wet sail to wrench the flag o  a brave Magpies side in 2023.

This year, the intent is clear as day that Euroa won’t settle for second best again.

After coming so close in ‘that’ final, Ellie Warnock is back to lead the same band of black and white—albeit with a pair of dazzling additions.

Star goaler Olivia Morris returns from a compound fracture while Euroa-raised Emelia Mercuri moves back after a stint at Shepparton Swans.

And, in an almighty coup, Hollie Reid joins the Magpies’

midcourt forces from Kyabram, where she won three best-andfairest gongs to go along with her four Murray Netball League best-and-fairest’s at Tongala. “I actually used her as an example for our players last year when defending on the circle, so now it’s really exciting to have her on our team,” Warnock said.

“Hollie will be an amazing addition and, obviously, it will make our midcourt so much stronger and stronger as a team. I think having Hollie will make such a di erence next season.

“The ultimate goal is to go one further and get that premiership, but we’re all excited just to hit the court again and be back together.”

Kellie

Jack Hellier

Will Hayes

KYABRAM

FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1894 NICKNAME: BOMBERS

GROUND: KYABRAM RECREATION RESERVE COACHES: COREY CARVER AND KAINE HERBERT PRESIDENT: PETER LEARMONTH PREMIERSHIPS: 1919, 1921, 1922, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1948, 1950, 1958, 1975, 1996, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: J. COOPER (1958, 1961), C. STEWART (1963), R. CLAY (1964), P. GITTOS (1987), B. GUGLIOTTI (1993), M. MATTINGLY (2019) 2023 FINISH: RUNNER UP (17–5) 2023 BEST-ANDFAIREST: ZAC NORRIS 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: KYLE MUELLER (51)

Whether Kyabram’s recruits can adequately cover the losses will decide how the new-look Bombers will perform in the 2024 season.

There was some doom and gloom as the season approaches when newly appointed skipper and GVL ruck representative Zac Norris was ruled out for the early part of the season at least, after reinjuring a shoulder he su ered in last year’s grand final.

But a likely replacement in towering 201cm ruckman Marcus Khoo from the AFL Queensland Mt Gravatt Football Club has negated most of the initial disappointment of the loss of Norris.

Pettifer, who have all moved on, will be tested.

Veteran Brad Mangan will have a lot of pressure to perform consistently and will be a key focal point in the Kyabram attack.

The Bombers boast some classy young players in Charlie Barnett, Anthony Depasquale, Mitch Dodos and Archie Watt and will be looking for big seasons from one of its taller and more versatile players in Aidan Robinson, Riley Ironside, Tom Burnett and Cooper Vick.

Talented emerging players in Bohden Learmonth and Miller Gri ths from the thirds, along with Nick Jephson, will also keep pressure on regular players to perform consistently.

Despite eight players who stripped in last year’s grand final loss to Echuca moving on, new co-coaches Corey Carver and Kaine Herbert are quietly confident the Bombers can make their presence felt again.

Carver has made no secret of his intention to try and put a relentless running side on the park with a game plan to suit the players he now has at his disposal.

Kyabram’s capacity to kick match winning scores without key forwards Tom Holman, the freakish Kyle Mueller and ex-Richmond forward Kayne

While one of its best onballers last season, Rhys Clark, is among the departing players, the Bombers should still have a potent midfield and on-ball brigade.

New ruckman Mason Khoo, co-coach Kaine Herbert, Josh Dillon, Will Golds, and Liam Ogden will be joined by returning Morrison Medallist Mick Mattingly, impressive pre-season Queensland recruits Bailey Tome and Jake Torney and Eamonn Ogden (brother of current star Liam) to provide plenty of onball and midfield fire power. Average per

Brad

2023topperformers

(average per game) Disposals:

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Bailey Tome, Jake Torney, Marcus Khoo (Mt Gravatt) Mick Mattingly (West Adelaide), Eamonn Ogden (Bacchus Marsh)

OUTS: Rhys Clarke (Southport) Kyle Mueller (Congupna), Tom Holman (Moama), Reuben Rode (Wallan), Nic Denahy (Queensland), Kayne Pettifer (Nathalia), Toby Wooller

KYABRAM NETBA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: RHIANNA HILTON 2023 FINISH: 10TH (3-14-1)

Kyabram is seeking replenishment from the fountain of youth in 2024.

The Bombers were delivered a hammer blow over the o -season with star midcourter Hollie Reid departing for Euroa while fellow central cog Liv Hall left for Melbourne.

So, rather than stew on the losses, Kyabram is elevating its promising young core to the top.

Coach Rhianna Hilton oversaw a trio of teams last year but is solely focusing on A-grade duties this season, earmarking a trio of young Bombers as ones to watch for the future.

“We’re still developing; we’ll have a young group again this

year which is exciting to give out opportunities,” she said.

“There’s probably the three from the 17s last year in Isla Carver, Abby Waasdorp and Tash Dodos—they were the three that finished top five in the league vote count.

“All three of them had a bit of exposure last year in A-grade, so it’d be good to see them now fully in A-grade where they can focus on that instead of managing the two games.”

While young, the midcourt duo of Carver and Waasdorp will look to fill the holes in Kyabram’s engine room left by Reid and Hall, while Dodos will look to earn her crust under the o ensive ring.

Natasha Dodos

Brad Whitford

Mick Mattingly

MANSFIELD

FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1998 NICKNAME: EAGLES GROUND: MANSFIELD RECREATION RESERVE COACH: JACK HUTCHINS PRESIDENT: RAY ROBINSON PREMIERSHIPS: 2004, 2009 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: T. HOTTON (2007) 2023 FINISH: SIXTH (10–9) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: DIRK KOENEN 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: BEN CHRISTOPHER (47)

It’s all about transition at Mansfield following a firstround finals exit.

The Eagles have not only lost coach Chad Owens, but two of their most prolific ball-winners in the Dale brothers (Lachland and Frazer).

Jack Hutchins arrives at the helm in what has been described as a “smooth transition” by football director Bo Christopher as Mansfield seeks another September berth.

“On the back of the unbelievable work Chad did over the last three years putting the structure in place, it’s been easy for Jack; he’s putting in some polish in a few areas,” Christopher said.

“Everyone is so keen for the season ahead because we have so many good people and locals.”

One local tipped for prominence this season is Jayden Howes, who now takes a spot in the Eagles’ leadership group.

While a potential VFL signing has instead committed for 2025, Christopher has suggested youth is the priority heading into 2024.

“Losing the Dale brothers and Tommy will hurt a bit, but we’ve had some great locals returning to the club as well,” Christopher said.

“Our strength is our kids; we’re a very young and fast side, and nobody knows the upside of our young group.

“The growth is going to come from our youth, because we’ve got kids 20 and under with between 50 and 70 games of senior experience.

“Their best football is clearly ahead of them.”

Perhaps there are no truer words in the case of Max Mahoney, who will take on Murray Bushrangers duties alongside his Eagles commitments this year.

He wasn’t the only youngster tipped for a big campaign.

Christopher looks forward to seeing the long-serving Howes take on more on-field leadership after “ripping up the track” during pre-season.

PLAYER CHANGES

“Max started playing seniors at 15. His transformation has been amazing thanks to hard work,” Christopher said.

“He’s in for a big year, and he’s a quality young man.”

INS: Billy Hogan (North Heidelberg), Adam Boschevski, Will Christopher, Tim Costigan, Joel Sanford, Tom Gardiner (Knox), James Waters (North Footscray), Matt King (Northern Bullants VFL)

OUTS: Frazer Dale, Lachlan Murphy-Dale (Myrtleford), Tom McDonagh (Wangaratta), Lachie Christopher, Daniel Leggett Average per game

Cam

2023topperformers

MANSFIELD NETBA

A new face at the helm—plus on the court—is what Mansfield hopes will drag its netball contingent from the GVL’s depths in 2024.

A winless 2023 was di cult to salvage shining lights from, but there is an air of optimism that the gap will close this time around.

The playing group is set to largely retain the core that took the court last year, but the introduction of playing coach Alex Ball, who boasts high-level metro experience, serves as the catalyst for potential change.

Eagles netball director Caroline Trenfield sees an upward trend and wants it to continue.

“Mansfield has obviously had it pretty tricky the last couple of

years on the courts,” Trenfield said, noting that “with the core sticking around and a new coach coming in, we’re confident we can continue to build on what we’ve been doing.”

Midcourter Tilly Lang returns to the club after absence in the other notable incoming to Mansfield’s roster, which will again include former coach and two-time best-and-fairest Nelle Cousins.

“We obviously didn’t have the wins, but as a group we were delivering improvement,” Trenfield said.

“We believe we can continue to this season, including some of our younger players as they start to move up into the side.”

Nelle Cousins

FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1894 NICKNAME: CATS HOME GROUND: MOOROOPNA RECREATION RESERVE COACH: JOHN LAMONT

PRESIDENT: BILL DOWLING PREMIERSHIPS: 1894, 1895, 1896, 1907, 1923, 1924, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1985, 1986 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: L DWYER (1936), B. MCCARTY (1962), R. WILLETT (1965, 1967, 1968), D. BUX (1972, 1973), G. SAUNDERS (1977), B. OUGH (1979), G. COOPER (1983, 1985), M. BLAKE (2012) 2023 FINISH: FIFTH (11-8) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: JACKSON TRENGOVE AND BRYCE RUTHERFORD 2023 LEADING GOALKICKER: JACKSON TRENGOVE (59)

Continuity is critical for the Cats this season.

Mooroopna has made finals for the past two seasons and has started this decade with gusto similar to the last, but coach John Lamont knows now is not the time to drop the ball.

“It’s a matter of keep on keeping on for, we’ve played finals for a couple of years so hopefully the young group can keep developing and improving,” he said.

“We’re continuing to build foundations, bring good people in around the players, good facilities, good coaching and feedback …we’re trying to provide the best environment for Mooroopna locals.”

It’s the promise of locals such as Rory Huggard and Dom Guggliotti, who both earned debut interleague caps in 2023, which has Lamont bullish about Mooroopna’s future.

as his brother Liam returns to Geelong, while Jackson Trengove’s departure leaves a noticeable hole up forward.

However, Mooroopna has supercharged its midfield with two-time Tongala best-andfairest winner Coby McCarthy, while the Cats’ contingent of Jack Johnston, Ethan Hunt, Will Bella, and Daniel Johnston will don the hoops when free from VFL commitments.

Massively, Nathan Drummond returns from a five-year stint at Footscray Bulldogs to commit full-time while other prodigal sons, such as Jordan Formica and Bayden Fallon, are back at the Cattery.

They’re all pieces in Lamont’s master plan, with tackle e ciency, better ball use and clean entry circled as the circuit breaker leading to a possible further finals venture.

That’s not to say the Cats won’t have a crack—and a red hot one at that—this season.

The ruck baton has been handed over to Keelin Betson

PLAYER CHANGES

“Last year our senior team and our under-18 team both got to the finals, so hopefully we can do that again and go a bit deeper.”

INS: Nathan Drummond (Footscray), Coby McCarthy (Tongala), Bayden Fallon (White Hills), Logan Campbell (Undera), Jordan Formica (returning)

OUTS: Jackson Trengove (Cobram), Liam Betson (St Joseph’s), Reed Maskell-Dobbyn (Queensland), Jack Hunt (retired), Coby James (North Melbourne VFL)

Average per game

2023topperformers (average per game)

Disposals:

Ethan Hunt 29.5

Contestedpossessions:

Keelin Betson 13.1

Interceptpossessions:

Nathan Drummond 4.5

Marks:

Coby James 7

Tackles:

Bryce Rutherford 6.4

Rebound50s:

Rory Huggard 3.6

Inside50s:

Coby James 5.5

DataPoints:

Liam Betson 123.9

Clearances:

Liam Betson 7.8

Pressureacts:

Jed Woods 3.7

Dom Gugliotti

Coby McCarthy

M R PNA NETBA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: DI HANSLOW 2023 FINISH: THIRD (15-6)

‘Close but no cigar’ summed up Mooroopna’s 2023 succinctly.

That Cats were within a game of a minor premiership and a grand final appearance, but fine margins denied Di Hanslow’s gifted squad of any reward.

They have the drive and talent, but whether the Cats can make it click when it counts surely determines if Mooroopna ends September with silverware or not.

Ella Ogier has crossed the Midland Hwy to join her sisters at Shepparton, while Maddison Wong has elected not to suit up in the navy, leaving gaps at either end of the court.

But, as good teams do, Mooroopna has plugged said gaps.

The club has rolled out the sublimely skilled ex-Cat Mia Fallon in the midcourt while Dayna Williams returns from a season-ending ACL injury.

“Dayna Williams will be returning to the team after doing her ACL last season (providing) massive firepower up either end of the court,” Hanslow said.

“She brings a wealth of VNL experience playing again in 2024 with the Melbourne University 23-and-under side.

“Mia Fallon returns to the club (and) will be a huge bonus to the senior team.

“Mia will bring a lot of power to our midcourt and her flexibility to be a defensive option is another strength.”

With Mooroopna fielding five sides in finals for the first time last season, Hanslow is sanguine about the new blood that will leap into the A-grade fold this year.

“Some very exciting junior talent across all of Mooroopna’s four other sides will be just as fascinating to watch out for.”

Ash Lancaster

GOULBURN VA EY LEAGUE

FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1913 TO 1914, 1973 TO PRESENT.

NICKNAME: TIGERS GROUND: MOON OVAL COACH: ASH WATSON

PRESIDENT: JUSTIN CLEARY PREMIERSHIPS: 1914, 1992, 1999, 2008 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: M. KEENAN (1988), P. MORGAN (1994), G. CAMPBELL (2011), A. WATSON (2015) 2023 FINISH: 10TH (4–14)

2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: JOE ATLEY 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: SEAN WILLIAMS (39)

Victoria’s reigning Community Club of the Year will have two club best and fairest winners headlining its list of recruits in 2024.

Rochester coach Ash Watson and his recruiting team have rallied in a similarly extraordinary fashion to the way in which the community recovered from the devastating impact of the October 2022 floods.

Rochester shapes as the big improver in the competition, having finished 10th last year.

Sean Williams led the goalkicking with 39 goals, but there is a plethora of new magnets for Watson to move around this season — including Ryan O’Keefe (formerly of Bendigo league club Kangaroo Flat) and Bailey Boyack (ex-Echuca United in the Murray League).

last year, winning the best and fairest 2023 in a team that finished third from the bottom with five wins. He played nine games with the Pioneers in 2021, the same year he played one game with Sydney Swans’ VFL team.

Mitch Trewhella, a strong inside-mid, followed a similar path to O’Keefe with Kangaroo Flat, making his senior debut in 2021 and finishing runner-up to O’Keefe in last season’s best and fairest.

Heine played 14 games with the Oakleigh Chargers in 2022, but played only three games with University Blues in the Amateurs last season.

Opportunist forward Bailey McGee, who was part of Kyneton’s sixth ranked team last year, also played Pioneers football in 2021.

Boyack, who Watson said will play as a mid-forward, makes it a trifecta of Elmore stars now in Tigers colours, joining ruckmanforward Mitch Cricelli and defender Dylan Gordon.

O’Keefe, a key defender, was a stand out for Kangaroo Flat

PLAYER CHANGES

The recruits join reigning best and fairest Joe Atley, the returning Doug Wren (who spent the entire season on the sidelines in 2023) and Nathan Marrone, named co-captain last year, but also injured for the whole season.

INS: Bailey Boyack (Echuca United), Hamish Heine (Uni Blues), Bailey McGee (Kyneton), Mitch Trewhella, Ryan O’Kee e (Kangaroo Flat), Elliott Taylor (Newcomb), Dillon Williams (Eaglehawk)

OUTS: None

Average per game

Doug Wren

ROCHESTER NETBA

FAST FACTS >> COACHES: LINDA RASMUSSEN AND RACHEL WHIPP

2023 FINISH: SEVENTH (9-8-1)

Rochester finished the 2023 Goulburn Valley A-grade netball season as the best team outside the finals, but co-coaches Linda Rasmussen and Rachel Whipp are by no means satisfied.

It has been some time since the Tigerettes were involved in the September action, but with the signing of tall former Maiden Gully star Tia Webb the tide could be about to turn.

Webb is expected to form a lethal partnership with one of the league’s rising stars, Victorian under age representative Teal Hocking.

Webb, a two time Loddon Valley league premiership player and Bendigo league grand final winner, is a league best and fairest and two time club best and fairest.

She also has significant leadership capabilities, having been coach of the league’s under-15 interleague team and a represnetative at league level.

A tall player, she will add height and strength into our goal circle with Teal Hocking, who despite her commitments to the mid-week state competition will be playing all season with her home town club.

It has been some time since Rochester A-grade was involved in the league finals, 20 years in fact, so the coaching duo are excited about the potential of the team.

“There hasn’t been too much of a change to our A-grade squad and we expect this stability to make a di erence,” Whipp said.

“We have a lot of versatility going into the season and we are aiming to make fi nals.

“Payton Tiller and Matisse Martin are two under 17 players to watch and will be given the chance through open grades this year.”

Joe Atley

Teal Hocking

Nathan Marrone

SEYMOUR

FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1940; 1976 TO PRESENT NICKNAME: LIONS HOME GROUND: KINGS PARK COACH: BEN DAVEY PRESIDENT: GERARD O’SULLIVAN PREMIERSHIPS: 1976, 1981, 1982. 1991, 2005, 2006, 2007 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: C.FROELICH (1940), GLIDDELL (1978), J.SOLOMON (1989), S.SCHOTTNER (2004), B.RIGONI (2022), J.O’SULLIVAN (2021, 2023) 2023 FINISH: FOURTH (16-4) 2023 BEST-ANDFAIREST: JACK O’SULLIVAN 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: RILEY MASON (34)

At the end of the 2023 regular season, Seymour looked like they were in flagwinning form.

The only side to beat the eventual champions, Echuca, the Lions only stumbled twice with losses against Shepparton and Kyabram.

But a straight sets exit from finals left the Lions lamenting what could have been.

Coach Ben Davey gave his side a longer-than-usual break before starting pre-season after Christmas, but that’s not to say the Lions are taking a step back.

“The aim is to finish in the finals, and then what happens from there it’s like a whole new season. It all starts again,” Davey said.

“We don’t shy away from that because if you’ve got to aim high, that’s why you play football.”

Jack O’Sullivan, the question on everyone’s lips is, can they bounce back?

If Freemantle Football Club’s most capped player and homegrown Seymour product, David Mundy, can play his fair share of games, you would expect the Lions to be right in the mix.

“With Dave (signing), that’s very exciting because a lot of our players have grown up watching him,” Davey said.

“For them to have the opportunity to run around with him is brilliant, and I think it also hasn’t been said a lot, but I didn’t do a lot of work to get Dave here; it was driven by him, which is just a mark of the type of guy he is.

“(He’s) such a down-to-earth person. You wouldn’t hear anyone say a bad word about Dave.

RILEY MASON 2023 SEASON STATS

With several key players departing the club, including dual Morrison Medal winner

“His family are really excited to see him play in the Seymour colours.”

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: David Mundy (Fremantle), Tom Maloney (Box Hill Hawks)

OUTS: Jack O’Sullivan (Wodonga Bulldogs), Michael Hartley (Castlemaine), Nic Quigg (Greater Western Sydney)

Lynne Ruscoe

David Chaston

Ray Trotter

Sarah Hill

Lanita Steer

Gurpreet Singh

Jack Jones

Leigh Arandt

Les Myors

Russell Mawson

Rod Carnegie

Kirsten Clancy

Ben Rigoni

2023topperformers

2023topperformers

(average per game)

(average per game)

Disposals:

Jack O’Sullivan 26.7

Contestedpossessions:

Jack O’Sullivan 11.6

Interceptpossessions:

Dylan Scopel 5.1

Marks:

Riley Mason 8.1

Tackles:

Ben Rigoni 4.8

Rebound50s:

Huw Jones 5.3

Inside50s:

Jack O’Sullivan 5.1

DataPoints:

Jack O’Sullivan 117.6

Clearances:

Jack O’Sullivan 6.5

Pressureacts:

Lucas Cannizzo 4

SEYMOUR NETBA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: ELLIE FUHRMEISTER 2023 FINISH: FIFTH (13-6)

The Seymour A-graders would be the first to admit that the 2023 season was below the high standards they’ve set for themselves.

Netball Championship gold medalist Casey Adamson.

“We’ve got a fantastic bunch of girls who know what it takes to get the job done week in, week out,” coach Ellie Fuhrmeister said.

The 2019 and 2022 premiership winners were fifth after the regular season and su ered a first-round finals exit at the hands of Tatura.

But, the bounce back seems inevitable.

Seymour has strengthened their squad by bringing young goaler Ruby Martin back to Kings Park after a stint at Wodonga Bulldogs alongside Ally Black, who was part of Ariels’ Victorian Netball League squad in 2023.

All key players have also recommitted for the 2024 campaign, including reigning Wellman medallist Sarah Szczykulski and Australian

“There’s plenty of experience in the squad and a huge amount of drive to make amends for a below-par finals series.

“If we keep our full squad on the court for most of the season, we’ll certainly be giving some of the top sides a run for their money.”

“While the A-grade squad is incredibly strong, we’ll be looking for opportunities to keep developing our younger players at a high level and building for a strong future. “We’re all set to go for a big season.”

Casey Adamson

Dylan Scopel

Josh Alford

FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1894 NICKNAME: BEARS HOME

GROUND: DEAKIN RESERVE CO-COACHES: TED LINDON AND XAVIER STEVENSON PRESIDENT: BRENDAN BICKNELL PREMIERSHIPS: 1899, 1903, 1906, 1908, 1909, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1920, 1925, 1929, 1934, 1952, 1957, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1978, 1993, 1994, 2000, 2018 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: E. JAMES (1935-37), J. DALGLEISH (1960), D. CODE (1980-81), G. REESE (1982 JOINT), S. ASH (2000, 2003 JOINT), M. BYERS (2005), N. ROKAHR (2018 JOINT) 2023 FINISH: SEVENTH (8-10)

2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: TYRON BADEN 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: TRENT HERBERT (31)

Afterfinishing one spot and two wins below finals last year, Shepparton hopes to bound into September action this season.

The Bears finished 2023 in solid form, winning four of their last five games, including victories over Seymour and Kyabram.

This year, Shepparton is looking to turn back the clock to their last flag in 2018 by bringing back premiership Bears Joel Brett, Liam Duguid and Ash Holland.

All three players are coming o the back of premierships for Golden Square in the BFNL and Waaia in the PDFL, respectively.

Brett, in particular, is coming o an impressive season for last year’s BFNL premiers, Golden Square, where he kicked 92 goals and came second in the league goal-kicking.

“The people we have brought in are really going to add to the quality of our list,” he said.

“We are really excited to see what our recruits are going to do, but again, we are very lucky to know the kind of footballers and people that they are.”

“Our natural growth is going to be really good as well. If we can continue to play an attacking, exciting brand of football, we are going to win more games than we lose.”

Stevenson believes that the Bears will also benefit from the continued development of young players like Ned Byrne.

“Over the last two years, we have been able to show really good growth in our list,“ he said.

Bears co-coach Xavier Stevenson believes the players recruited over the summer will help the side both on and o the field.

PLAYER CHANGES

“Our biggest friend is continuity within our list over the last 24 months and that is where a lot of our improvement has come from. “For us to be able to make the jump from seventh to sixth, I think we have got to play more footy like towards the back end of last year.”

INS: Joel Brett (Golden Square), Liam Duguid (Golden Square), Ash Holland (Waaia), Luke Smith (Katandra)

OUTS: Tyron Baden, Izac Artavilla (Cobram), Tyler Bell (moved to Melbourne), Jordan McGregor (Moama). Average per game

2023topperformers

Phone:

Address:

Email: admin@gtm.com.au

Web:

SHE BEARS NETBA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: STACEY THOMPSON 2023 FINISH: SIXTH (12-6-1)

Will 2023 finally be the year of the Bear in the GVL?

After finishing sixth place for two consecutive seasons, the Bears hope to dive deeper into finals in 2024.

Shepparton may have lost a few experienced players over the summer, but the club hopes some in-house development will keep the A-grade side competitive.

Only time will tell if the Bears can claw their way back to the top of the food chain, but for now, new coach Stacey Thompson is full of excitement to watch the young and talented cubs at the club.

“There has been a lot of work done by Tracey (Brereton) in the past and we appreciate that, but now we have an exciting new bunch of players to work with,” she said.

“Yes, we have some exciting ins, but we also have a lot of great club people in there who have played a lot of juniors with us all the way through and now will get the opportunity to show what they can do in A-grade.”

Last season, Thompson coached the B-grade side to a premiership with a team of young players such as Keeley O’Dwyer, Sophie Halmer and Hannah Crawley, who Thompson said all played vital roles in the side’s success. “I’m really excited about all of them,” she said.

“The young players had the benefit of time to develop in B-grade before coming up to A-grade this season. The three of them: O’Dwyer, Halmer and Crawley.

“I’m hoping they will continue their development in A-grade this season.”

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Hannah Crawley

Ash Holland

Xavier Stevenson

FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1946 (AS LEMNOS FOOTBALL CLUB)

NICKNAME: SWANS HOME GROUND: PRINCESS PARK COACH: JEDD WRIGHT PRESIDENT: JARROD SUTHERLAND PREMIERSHIPS: 1959, 1960, 1970, 2014 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: B. TYQUIN (1949), R. ORRMAN (1951, 1954, 1959), N. SMITH (1975), M. LAMBOURN (1996) ALL AS LEMNOS; J. SUTHERLAND (2002), B. DURBRIDGE (2009) AS SHEPPARTON SWANS

2023 FINISH: NINTH (4-14) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: TOM PREECE

2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: NATHAN RACHELE (28)

After spending the last couple of seasons in the bottom half of the ladder, Shepparton Swans are looking to soar back to life in 2024.

To help the Swans push for finals, ruckman Mitch Bell will return from an ACL injury, while midfielder Max Clohesy will play full-time after a stint in the VFL.

But coach Jedd Wright believes it’s the Swans’ key position signings that will hopefully see his side rise back up the ladder.

“We were really selective with our recruiting,” he said.

“We knew that we are a young, really fast team that moves the ball really well. But we did lack (last year) four or five talls and we have certainly addressed that with our recruiting.”

“Our whole midfield group Max Clohesy, Zac Alderton, Will Dwyer’s really fit and firing and just how those ‘mids’ are going to work with a couple of really decent ruckman,” he said.

“Luke Davies o half-back I’m sure will also be pretty impressive.”

Wright doesn’t want to be over-optimistic regarding what the Swans can achieve this season, but the second-year coach does believe that the club is well set to be a competitive force for the next few years.

“We laid a pretty solid platform last year, and we are really looking to build on it, as I am sure the other teams who missed out on finals are, with the goal of sneaking into fifth or sixth and seeing how we go at the end of the year,” he said.

ZAC BANCH 2023 SEASON

In terms of in-house development, Wright said he is excited to watch the Swan’s young core of midfielders develop.

PLAYER CHANGES

“We are excited to get out there and show that we are really looking to improve this year.”

INS: Mark Kovacevic (West Preston Lakes), Matt Perry (Waverley Blues), Jack Threlfall (Dookie United), Luke Davies (Lancaster), Hugh Mason (St Kilda City)

OUTS: Isaiah Jones (Congupna), Diesel Batey (Myrtleford) Bowen Calogero (Myrtleford) Zac Banch (Werribee) Rylen Damianopoulos (Congupna)

Mitch Bell.

2023topperformers

Hrovat 7.5 Tackles:

6

4

After two seasons on the outskirts of finals, the Swans are determined to break that habit in 2024.

While the Swans will miss the experience of star veteran Chelsea McDonald, who has departed the GVNL to join Finley in the MNL, new coach Jana Riordan believes the club has brought in enough talent to cover the loss.

However, Riordan thinks the Swans need to gain more trust in each other and the team’s structure.

“I didn’t coach them last season, but I was still at the club, and they lost lots of games by under five goals, and they were close in games against teams

that went on to play finals,” she said.

“They just couldn’t finish o that final quarter and I think that is why they need to really back each other in and build the trust in each other and the team’s strategy.”

“I feel like we have some fabulous individual players, but it is going to come down to when they all begin to work and understand each other.”

One of the Swans imports is Natasha Atkinson Brown, who arrives at the club after a successful period at Rumbalara. she hopes that success will continue to follow Brown during her first season at the Swans.

Natasha Atkinson-Brown.

Luke Davies.

Max Clohesy.

FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1950 NICKNAME: DEMONS HOME

GROUND: DEAKIN RESERVE COACH: DUANE HUESTON PRESIDENT: REBECCA MONK PREMIERSHIPS: 1954, 1955, 1956, 1962, 1967, 1974, 1980, 1987, 1988, 1989, 2010, 2011 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: J.WILLIAMS (1984), P. FOOTT (1992) 2022 FINISH: 11TH (3-15) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: MARCUS WATTIE 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: JAYDEN MAGRO (46)

Three wins are certainly better than one.

Shepparton United still has plenty of work ahead—that much is clear—but a gradual rebuild featuring some solid recruiting would bear at least some fruit in 2023.

Jayden Magro impressed as the Demons’ most potent o ensive threat, while Marcus Wattie dazzled his way to the club’s best-and-fairest award.

Neither man has stuck around for 2024, though, so Duane Hueston must turn to new stars.

They’ve arrived from all corners—though many are former club juniors—to bolster United’s squad, with the likes of brothers Jake and Will McCartney coming back home from south-east Melbourne.

Adding a playing assistant coach with credentials like VFL pickup Jesse Cucinotta is icing on the cake.

“We’ve replaced what we’ve lost, and our numbers are really good.

“We reflected on last year, and we lost four or five real close ones.

“We’ve stripped it all back and we’re trying to build; over this year and next year, we’re laying the foundations.”

In returning many players with previous Demon connections, Hueston aims to send a positive message about the club’s culture and appeal.

“A lot of clubs talk about wanting to be a ‘family club’, but United is putting it into action,” Hueston said.

“We’re driving the ‘one club’ banner well.

“We’ve recruited well with Jesse Cucinotta; a lot of his housemates played juniors at United and will be on board as well.

“It’s disappointing that we’ve lost some really good players, but the boys we’ve brought in add on-field leadership,” Hueston said.

PLAYER CHANGES

“The drive and desire is there, but now it’s about results and working hard.

“They don’t accept less than winning games of football.”

INS: Samuel Jackson (Lancaster), Jesse Cucinotta (Port Melbourne), Aaron Britten (Balwyn), Fraser Hicks (Balwyn), Will Donaghey (Wodonga Raiders), Jack McCartney (Ormond), Will McCartney (Ormond), Dae Szydlik, Fred Wilkinson (Wangaratta)

OUTS: Jayden Magro, Marcus Wattie (Swan Hill), Mitch Roche (Swan Districts), Lewis Stanton

Liam Serra

2023topperformers

SHE UNITED NETBA

It’s a new era indeed on the courts at Shepparton United.

The 2022 runners-up were expected to slide amid a number of important departures, and 2023 brought many of the di culties expected on court.

A pair of fresh faces in charge could change the Demons’ fortunes for better, though.

Erynn Hueston brings her title-winning experience to Deakin Reserve after steering Shepparton East through a perfect 2023 campaign.

Joining her at the helm is standout midcourter—and reigning A-grade club bestand-fairest—Laura Cole for her first senior gig.

Coming o a campaign that saw nine fewer wins than the grand final heights of 2022, Cole says things are looking

up as the Demons aim to steer back into contention.

“Our numbers are looking really good, and there’s a really positive vibe around the club at the moment,” Cole said.

“We’re definitely feeling positive about the season.”

Not for just any reason, of course.

United has conceded significant experience across the past two seasons, but talent has arrived to balance the squad.

“We certainly think we’re going to be in a position to improve on what we started to build,” Cole said.

“We’ve picked up awesome recruits, like Shinea Sali and Tamara Skinner, and we’re hoping we have a shot at making finals again.”

Laura Cole

Kyle Clarke

Jesse Cucinotta

FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1894 NICKNAME: BULLDOGS

GROUND: TATURA PARK COACH: PAUL BARNARD PRESIDENT: JAMES PYKE PREMIERSHIPS: 1898, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1904, 1905, 1952, 1953, 1995, 1998, 2003, 2012 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: W. PRITCHARD (1947), J. GREENWOOD (1969 AND 1970), N. SMITH (1974), T.ESLER (1995)  2023 FINISH: EIGHTH (5-13) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: ETHAN PENRITH 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: BRODIE MEYERS (27)

Tatura Bulldogs is hoping to bring more bark and bite to 2024 compared to recent years.

The club recently announced its senior coaching lineup for the looming Goulburn Valley League tilt, and it’s good news out of the Kennel with former Essendon gun Paul Barnard leading the charge once more.

He’s joined on the panel in current Freddo McMahon Perpetual Trophy holder Ethan Penrith, Andrew Ciavarella and recently retired Ash Quinn.

Barnard labelled 2023, his first year at the helm, as an “assessment year” as Tatura adjusted to change, but now he feels the Bulldogs are poised for a step up as continuity begins to take hold.

“There’s some really good signs that the list has progressed somewhat (since last year),” he said.

now and we’ve got a better understanding.

“We feel like we’ve got a really good coaching group and a good structure o -field, we think our footy program is in the right space where it should be at the current level.”

Tatura has injected a flood of new talent into the blue, red and white for this season.

Pulling in Aidyn Johnson and Jhdara Jones from Avondale Heights will provided a size and skill bu er, as will the the Lake Boga trio of Tyle Williams, Jacob Simpson and Jake Warren.

Legendary Bulldog brothers Brad and Matt Ryan return from their NTFL stint to compliment a swag of Tatura stars returning from injury.

“We’ve made a concerted e ort to add some height, some strength and skill to our list so that’s been really pleasing from a recruiting perspective,” Barnard said.

Average per game

“We’ve still got a lot of work ahead of us, but I’m pretty happy nearly 18 months on

PLAYER CHANGES

“We’re going to be a lot taller whereas last year we were a little bit shorter.”

INS: Aidyn Johnson, Jhdara Jones (Avondale Heights), Tyle Williams, Jacob Simpson Jake Warren (Lake Boga), Fayte Belmont-Wickli e (Echuca United), Ryan Hatch (Undera), Matt Ryan, Brad Ryan (Pint)

OUTS: Billy Cooper (Congupna), James Bennett (Port Douglas), Aydin Kesici (Mernda), Ash Quinn (retired)

Ethan

2023topperformers

(average per game)

Disposals:

Ethan Penrith 23.3

Contestedpossessions:

Liam Podhajski 14

Interceptpossessions:

Harley McCarthy 4.8

Marks:

Mitch Podhajski 11

Tackles:

Ethan Penrith 6.4

Rebound50s:

Michael Archer 5

Inside50s:

Liam Podhajski 10

DataPoints:

Liam Podhajski 116

Clearances:

Liam Podhajski 6

Pressureacts:

James Bennett 3.8

Brad Ryan

TATURA NETBA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: STEPH SMITH-GORRIE AND ELSIE BOYER

2023 FINISH: FOURTH (13-7)

If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s the rightful approach made by Tatura after the Bulldogs made one of the most storied improvements in recent Goulburn Valley League history.

Tatura’s fourth-place finish last season, compared to finishing 11th in the previous campaign, was enough of a jump to warrant a go-around with the same playing contingent.

Not everything is a carboncopy of 2023, however.

Steph Smith-Gorrie and Elsie Boyer form a fresh-faced playing coach duo, supported by Fiona Boyer from the sidelines.

“The group as a whole, I think every single player was keen to stay together,” Smith-Gorrie said.

“We all really enjoyed last year both on and o the court, so

if everyone was keen to stay around, it was like ‘well, we just work a bit harder’.

“Having 12 months together, it’s easier now just to continue on, no questions asked, and just get on with it.”

There’s no denying the calibre of Tatura’s elected nine is upper echelon.

Molly Kennedy, Jasmine Fraser and Boyer will all feature in the Victorian Netball League in addition to their GVL duties, while the Bulldogs have retained genuine guns in the form of Julia Clarke, Ash Quinn and Gaye Eaton Medallist Molly Boyle.

“We’ll just continue on into this year, hopefully finish in the top six and go one better than last year,” Smith-Gorrie said.

1a

https://www.bcoprojects.com.au

Aidyn Johnson

Molly Boyle

ICIAL FIXTURE SEASON 2024

EASTER SATURDAY

March 30

Mansfield v Echuca

ROUND 1

April 6

Shepp Swans v Euroa

Shepparton v Mansfield

Benalla v Rochester

Echuca v Shepp United

Kyabram v Mooroopna (N)

Tatura v Seymour

ROUND 2

April 13

Euroa v Tatura

Rochester v Kyabram (N)

Mansfield v Shepp Swans

Shepp United v Shepparton (N)

Mooroopna v Benalla

ROUND 3

April 20

Kyabram v Euroa (N)

Tatura v Mansfield

Shepp Swans v Seymour

Shepparton v Rochester

Benalla v Shepp United

Echuca v Mooroopna

ROUND 4

April 27 (Anzac Round)

Mansfield v Benalla

Seymour v Shepparton

Euroa v Echuca

Shepp United v Kyabram

Rochester v Tatura

Mooroopna v Shepp Swans

ROUND 5

May 4

Shepparton v Euroa

Tatura v Mooroopna

Echuca v Rochester

Benalla v Seymour

Shepp Swans v Shepp United

ROUND 6

May 11

Echuca v Mansfield

Seymour v Kyabram

Shepp United v Tatura

Shepp Swans v Shepparton

Rochester v Mooroopna

Euroa v Benalla

FINALS

ROUND 7

May 18 (Say NO to Violence)

Mooroopna v Seymour

Kyabram v Tatura

Echuca v Shepp Swans

Shepparton v Benalla

Mansfield v Shepp United

Rochester v Euroa

INTERLEAGUE

May 25

ROUND 8

June 1

Shepp Swans v Kyabram

Tatura v Shepparton

Shepp United v Mooroopna

Benalla v Echuca

Seymour v Rochester

Euroa v Mansfield

ROUND 9

June 8 (King’s Birthday)

Tatura v Echuca

Shepparton v Kyabram

Rochester v Shepp United

Benalla v Shepp Swans

Euroa v Seymour

ROUND 10

June 15

Kyabram v Benalla

Shepp Swans v Tatura

Echuca v Shepparton

Shepp United v Seymour

Mansfield v Rochester

Mooroopna v Euroa

Elimination & Qualifying Finals: Aug 31 & Sept 1

1st & 2nd Semi Final: September 7 & 8

Preliminary Final: Sunday September 15

Grand Final: Sunday September 22

ROUND 11

June 22

Shepparton v Mooroopna

Seymour v Mansfield

Benalla v Tatura

Echuca v Kyabram

Euroa v Shepp United

Rochester v Shepp Swans

ROUND 12 (SPLIT ROUND)

June 29 (Indigenous Round)

Tatura v Euroa

Shepp United v Echuca

Seymour v Shepp Swans

July 6

Benalla v Mooroopna

Mansfield v Shepparton

July 7

Kyabram v Rochester

ROUND 13

July 13 (Indigenous Round)

Rochester v Benalla

Echuca v Seymour

Shepp Swans v Mansfield

Mooroopna v Tatura

Shepparton v Shepp United

Euroa v Kyabram

ROUND 14

July 20

Mooroopna v Echuca

Shepp United v Benalla

Rochester v Shepparton

Seymour v Tatura

Euroa v Shepp Swans

Mansfield v Kyabram

ROUND 15

July 27

Kyabram v Shepp United

Tatura v Rochester

Echuca v Euroa

Benalla v Mansfield

Shepp Swans v Mooroopna

Shepparton v Seymour

ROUND 16 (SPLIT ROUND)

August 3

Mooroopna v Kyabram

Mansfield v Tatura

Euroa v Shepparton

Seymour v Echuca

August 10

Shepp United v Shepp Swans

Seymour v Benalla

Rochester v Echuca

Mooroopna v Mansfield

ROUND 17

August 17

Tatura v Shepp United

Kyabram v Seymour

Mooroopna v Rochester

Benalla v Euroa

Shepparton v Shepp Swans

ROUND 18

August 24

Kyabram v Shepparton

Mansfield v Euroa

Seymour v Mooroopna

Shepp Swans v Echuca

Shepp United v Rochester

Tatura v Benalla

SPECIAL ROUNDS

Round 4: Anzac

Round 7:

Round 9:

Round 12 &

Interleague:

Football & Netball Action is back for 2024

Board Chair: Jacqui Hudgson

GOTAFE Goulburn Valley League football and netball is set to make it’s official 2024 return with the first game scheduled for Easter Saturday. Round 1 will officially commence on 6 April.

Round 4 will be the ANZAC Round, whilst the 25 May will see Interleague action return as the GVL will host archrivals in the Ovens & Murray League at Deakin Reserve. The Say No To Violence Round will take place in Round 17.

The League will have two rounds designated as it’s Indigenous Rounds, with these matches to take place over Round 12 and 13. The opportunity to continue to create greater understanding and knowledge of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders history and culture whilst promoting the No Violence message is incredibly powerful. The Say No to Violence round will contribute to a near regional response from communities to raise awareness of violence.

Clubs’ delegates voted in 2023 in favour of reverting to a rolling fixture. The three-year rolling fixture will see each club play each other 5 times over the three years. The first round of the fourth year will ensure any clubs who have only played each other four times will play their fifth match.

Whilst some traditional games are not in the fixture, clubs have worked together on alternate times and dates to play scheduled matches. With Easter falling outside our season due to its earlier than normal, Mansfield approached Echuca about playing a match scheduled during the season on Easter Saturday. Echuca agreed to this request. This is a great example of our clubs working together on alternate dates for matches to be played.

Thank you to all our sponsors, including naming rights sponsor GOTAFE, our media partners, including a special thanks to McPherson Media Group and everyone at all our clubs. Our amazing volunteers are working tirelessly to get everything in place for what is sure to be a bumper season of fantastic football and netball.

Jordon Butts – Adelaide (Shepparton)

Josh Rachele – Adelaide (Shepparton Swans)

Oscar Ryan – Adelaide (Shepparton United)

Brodie Kemp – Carlton (Echuca)

Caleb Marchbank – Carlton (Benalla)

Jamie Elliott – Collingwood (Euroa)

Steele Sidebottom – Collingwood (Tallygaroopna)

Lachie Schultz – Collingwood (Moama)

Will Brodie – Fremantle (Shepparton)

Josh Treacy – Fremantle (Cohuna)

Tom Hawkins – Geelong (Finley)

Nick Holman – Gold Coast (Kyabram)

Lachie Ash – GWS (Invergordon)

Will Shaw – GWS (Deniliquin)

Harry Morrison – Hawthorn (Benalla)

Jarman Impey – Hawthorn (Shepparton and Shepparton Swans)

Clayton Oliver – Melbourne (Mooroopna)

Angela Foley – Adelaide (Shepparton)

Keeley Skepper – Carlton (Shepparton United)

Bonnie Toogood – Essendon (Mansfield)

Annabel Johnson – Geelong (Echuca)

Becky Webster – Geelong (Benalla)

Julia Crockett-Grills – Geelong (Kyabram)

Marty Hore (Leitchville-Gunbower)

Jy Simpkin (Mooroopna)

Umpiring organisations in the Goulburn Valley and surrounds continue to build on the advancements made in the last 12 months.

2023 was a bumper year after a pair of new training centres opened in the Murray region, while the Female Umpire Academy got up and running as well.

The 2023 GVL grand final was a historic scene from an umpiring perspective, with boundary o cial Erica Hayes the first female appointed to help oversee a senior grand final in league history.

2024 SEASON AFL EXPORTS

– Melbourne

Josh Schache

Tom Brown

Ollie Wines

Tom Clurey (Katamatite)

– Melbourne

– North Melbourne

Brayden George (Girgarre)

– North Melbourne

– Richmond

– Port Adelaide

– Port Adelaide

Esava Ratugolea (Cobram)

– Port Adelaide

Todd Marshall (Deniliquin)

– Port Adelaide

Tom Cole – West Coast

Harley Reid

Alex Keath

– West Coast

– Western Bulldogs – Western

Laitham Vandermeer Bulldogs (Mooroopna)

Sophie Locke

– Hawthorn

Georgia Gall

– Melbourne

Cassidy Mailer (Shepparton United)

Grace Egan

– North Melbourne

– Richmond

Aurora Smith (Shepparton United)

– Western Bulldogs

‘THE MORE THE ME IER’: AFL GOULBURN MU AY WELCOMES A

AFL Goulburn Murray regional director of umpiring Andrew Moore is buoyed by the influx in support, but sees a higher ceiling for umpire participation.

“We are in a good spot, but the more, the merrier. If we are comparing to last year, we are in a better position,” Moore, himself a 2023 GVL grand final umpire, said.

“We would like an extra recruitment group to join in.”

Beyond the encouraging numbers, though, Moore spruiked the many health benefits of donning the lime green and

getting involved as a local umpire.

“Not only do you get to build your fitness, but you get to be in a team environment, an inclusive environment, with males and females aged 12 to whatever age you’re still mobile,” Moore said.

“You can be someone who is an elite athlete or you can be someone who likes to go for a slow walk; there’s something for everyone.

“It’s an inclusive way for anyone to participate in a great game and get as close to the game as you will ever get.”

Get involved: There has never been a better time to umpire underneath the AFL Goulburn Murray banner.

Steele Sidebottom

LOCAL FACES SPEARHEAD THE MU AY

BUSHRANGERS’ UPWARD CLIMB

There is plenty for Goulburn Valley football fans to look forward to in the Murray Bushrangers program for 2024.

After a di cult on-field campaign in 2023, the year capped o on an excellent note with a bevy of first-round AFL Draft selections.

At the end of the day, this is the primary goal of all Coates Talent League clubs.

The boys’ squad shapes up well from a local perspective, with no fewer than 17 GV locals among the under-18 contingent.

“We had four kids drafted in the first round last year, which was excellent for us, and there are some really impressive types this year,” Bushrangers boys’ coach Mark Brown said.

“I think this squad’s more even and competitive; I want to make sure we’re competitive, but we always keep our focus clear on what individuals’ aims are.

“We’ve got guys like Cohen Paul (Euroa), who had a good bottom-age year and is coming along well.

“There’s some good types there, and time will tell how they progress.”

On the girls’ side of the ledger, former AFLW Bulldog and Saint Emma Mackie assumes the reins once again, seeking to improve on her side’s one-win showing in 2023.

“This program is very new to the region, and we’re still growing and developing a lot of talent in the north-east in terms of draftable players,” Mackie said.

“We’re really excited. The younger girls have a lot of talent, so we’ve got a lot to work with this year.

“We’ve got more and more footballready players coming through, so by the

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four girls within the under-18 squad, headlined by emerging Swans starlet Holly Egan as she comes into her draft age season.

Murray Bushrangers girls.

AFL GOULBURN MU AY WOMEN’S HIT REFRESH IN 2024

Scribbled out, sketched up, and now finalised.

be admired.

The league name has been modernised, an additional three teams have been announced, and hot-blooded competition is brewing.

The injection of Barooga, Mansfield and Rumbalara has dared a challenge, though the pressure cooker will be switched on at all times.

Untested among strong season regulars like Shepparton United, Tatura,

and Nagambie, who’ll set their sights on clambering up the ladder this year, the newcomers will need to find their feet fast and take every opportunity to impress.

Particularly when they clash with 2022 and 2023 premiership teams Echuca and Nathalia, respectively, and powerhouse players like Jacquelyn James (Echuca) and Abby Favaro (Nathalia).

But if you thought this would be enough to shake confidence in the league’s debutants, think again.

Barooga has instilled a secret weapon, reaping coach Kate “Chappo” Chapman

The 2024 AFL Goulburn Murray Women’s season is primed for the masterpiece that is women’s football to

Echuca’s 2023 premiership winning NCWL senior women side.

2024 SEASON NCWL SENIOR WOMEN’S TEAMS

from raising hell at the Demons to guiding the Hawks’ pin feathers through 2024.

Shu ing of the talent drawcards such as this has footy fans excited for a showdown season and increased engagement across the women’s competition, according to AFL Goulburn Murray’s head of operations Jo Spencer.

“It’s an exciting time as we continue to grow our competition,” she said.

“Last year, we welcomed two new teams to the competition (Nagambie and Moama). This year, we will welcome Barooga FNC, Rumbalara FNC and Mansfield FNC.

“The addition of these teams supports the continued growth of participation to more parts of our region.”

More clubs mean bigger appetites for premiership glory, from a wave of hungry rookies to a slate of superstar veterans ready to hoist the cup once more.

Only one question remains: who will be the one to satiate the craving? of our of hungry

LA ER PREDICTIONS:

1: Echuca

2: Shepparton United

3: Nathalia

4: Tatura

5: Nagambie

6: Barooga

7: Rumbalara

8: Mansfield

Jacquelyn James

MFNC

PAST PREMIERS

MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

2023: Mulwala

2022: Mulwala

2019: Nathalia

2018: Nathalia

2017: Nathalia

2016: Nathalia

MURRAY NETBALL LEAGUE

2023: Tongala

2022: Deniliquin

2019: Echuca United

STRAP IN FOR A MORE CUT THROAT MU AY F TBA NETBA LEAGUE SEASON

The Murray Football Netball League has stepped up a gear for 2024.

An injection of Goulburn Valley League talent has supercharged the skill base throughout the league, with teams desperate to make a tilt towards the holy land of premiership glory.

Senior football flag-holder Mulwala has a slew of teams at its neck to spoil a three-peat, while Tongala will need an almighty push to stave o the sides coming for its crown.

We’re in for another bumper year on the oval and courts throughout the region, so buckle up—it’s going to be one heck of a ride.

2018: Moama

2017: Moama

2016: Echuca United

PAST O’DWYER MEDA ISTS

2023: Jackson Gash (Mulwala)

2022: Brodie Ross (Nathalia) and Nicholas Jamieson (Tongala)

2021: Coby McCarthy (Tongala)

2019: Jackson Gash (Mulwala)

2018: Brodie A’Vard (Barooga)

2017: Rhys Archard (Moama)

2016: Ned Morrison (Finley)

2015: Rhys Archard (Moama)

2014: Marcus Smith (Barooga)

2013: Ash Morris (Deniliquin)

A-GRADE BEST-AND-FAIRESTS

2023: Rhiannon Maxwell (Deniliquin)

2022: Tegan Sutton (Nathalia)

2021: Emily Taverna (Moama)

2019: Elenoa Naimalua (Rumbalara)

2018: Tessa Bruni (Cobram)

2017: Amelia Wyatt (Deniliquin)

2016: Jessie Barnes (Rumbalara)

2015: Alicia White (Tongala)

2014: Tamara Skinner (Numurkah)

2013: Leanne Rawson (Numurkah)

LA ER PREDICTIONS:

FOOTBALL

1: Congupna

2: Mulwala

3: Cobram

4: Tongala

5: Deniliquin

6: Nathalia

7: Numurkah

8: Moama

9: Barooga

10: Finley

NETBALL

1: Tongala

2: Nathalia

3: Moama

4: Mulwala

5: Deniliquin

6: Echuca: United

7: Rumbalara

8: Congupna

9: Numurkah

10: Barooga

11: Echuca: United

12: Rumbalara

11: Finley

12: Cobram

Lions’ roar: Mulwala clinched the 2023 senior football premiership in style.

Blue moon rising: Tongala will be out to defend its 2023 A-grade netball flag.

F TBA BAR GA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: LUKE JARJOURA 2023 FINISH: EIGHTH (8-10) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: ANGUS CAMERON

2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: RILEY GOW (57) HOME GROUND: BAROOGA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: HAWKS

Barooga coach Luke Jarjoura isn’t pulling punches when it comes to knockout aspirations.

The Hawks leader has “expectations to go deep into September”, and after skipping out on finals by just two plots in 2023, the sting of under-performance and injury woes have been left in the rear view mirror.

“Last year was a consolidation year for the club after hitting rock bottom the year before,” he said.

“Our emphasis was on making our club attractive for people to come to, almost a destination club, and I think we were able to do that over the last 12 months through our local community making our new recruits feel most welcome.

“Once you’ve retained everyone, you can cherry pick what you actually need in terms of being competitive and trying to get into the top two or three teams which is our goal for this year.”

A regimented Hawks’ list—identical to last season bar a few inclusions—is fit and hungry for reward according to Jarjoura.

Adding quality and mobility in the form of Caulfield Grammarians duo Charlie Ingham and Charlie McGaw bolsters Barooga’s midfield and forward line, while Tocumwal gem Tom Barker firms things up down back.

Expect the Hawks to make a splash this season.

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Tom Barker (Tocumwal), Charlie Ingham, Charlie McGaw (Caulfield Grammarians)

OUTS: None

NETBA

COACH: JACQUI DOUGLAS

2023 FINISH: 13TH (0-18)

New coach, new approach.

That’s the idea at Barooga as Jacqui Douglas steps up to fill the A-grade role at the Hawks, seeking to leave last season’s winless campaign in the rear vision mirror.

“The season this year will just be focused on enhancing teamwork and communication amongst the players,” Douglas said.

“Our pre-season focus has been a bit more on footwork and agility; and we’ve identified that we need to master the fundamentals—we’ve gone back to basics for lack of better words.”

Douglas said the club will field a similar A-grade side to last season, though a couple of o -season movements point to a slightly di erent Barooga in 2023.

“There’s definitely going to be some changes; we’ve lost some A-graders but we’ve gained some A-graders so it’ll be a di erent side—it’ll be exciting.”

Sam Macheda

Victoria Zoch

COBRAM

F TBA

FAST FACTS >> NICKNAME: TIGERS HOME GROUND: SCOTT OVAL COACH: TYRON BADEN AND TIM GARLICK

2023 FINISH: SEVENTH (10-8) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: SAM BEASLEY 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: MITCHELL WARD (38)

Tim Garlick has identified Cobram as a “serious threat” for finals this season - and he has every right to make that claim.

Garlick, taking over the coaching reins from John Brunskill alongside Tyron Baden, has taken the Tigers’ list to the next level with some savvy recruiting from the Goulburn Valley League and beyond.

Baden and Izac Artavilla return from Shepparton while Fergus Pinnuck joins from Shepparton United, but the big name signing of 2023 GVL leading goalkicker and ex-AFL star Jackson Trengove has got everyone talking.

“It’s no secret from our end that we want to play finals and we want to go deep into finals,” Garlick said.

“We believe we’ve done the work over pre-season, we’ve got the list together.

“We’ve filled some holes that we needed to fill, we whacked a bit of firepower up forward as well as some grunt through the midfield.”

The Tigers have also tractor beamed a fair chunk of locals back to Scott Oval, bringing surety to the club moving forward.

“It’s been fantastic; we’ve got a lot of local fellas back on board which is healthy - it doesn’t just brings a player to the club, it brings a family,” Garlick said.

“It builds a culture that we want and we have been trying to build over the past 5-10 years.”

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Tyron Baden, Izac Artavilla (Shepparton), Flynn Penberthy, Hunter Verhoeven, Reeve Verhoeven (Numurkah), Alec Ritchie (Uni Blues), Steve Stallion (Yarroweyah), Tristan Mears (Berrigan), Fergus Pinnuck (Shepparton United)

OUTS: Kyle Coates, Levi Middleton (Finley), Nathan Hartley (Perth)

NETBA

COACH: ROBBIE GLASS

2023 FINISH: 10TH (5-13)

Cobram is running with the young guns again.

After sporting what had to be the lowest average age A-grade squad for any Murray League club in 2023, the Tigers are one year older and wiser heading into the new campaign.

“We’re still going to be a very young side but we’ve certainly added to our depth which is pleasing,” coach Robbie Glass said.

“I think our A and B squad as a whole is in a much better position - two years ago we won two games, and then last year we won five - so it’s just about trying to build on that.”

The main introduction is Alana Sutton from Tocumwal, while Cobram’s A-B depth has significantly strengthened.

However, for Glass, eliminating concentration lapses and fast tracking development is the name of the game in 2024.

Jackson Trengove

Felicity Geisler

CONGUPNA

F TBA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: BEN BINGHAM 2023 FINISH: RUNNER UP (14-6) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: JIMMY BOYER 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: ELLIOT CAVALLARO (84) GROUND: MEMORIAL PARK NICKNAME: THE ROAD

Could it be now or never for Congupna in 2024?

Ben Bingham’s side was overcome by a bout of Middleton-mania when the chips were down in 2023, falling one underwhelming second half short of a drought-breaking flag.

You would think losing Elliot Cavallaro and his 84 goals interstate would set the stage for a descent.

Not with this raft of incomings, though.

“There is a good sort of atmosphere around the place,” Bingham said.

“We’ve worked really hard trying to retain our current list first and seeing what key areas we needed to fill.

“We’ve done pretty well at that.”

The announcement of mercurial forward Kyle Mueller joining up with The Road was undoubtedly one of the biggest signings made by any club under the AFL Goulburn Murray banner.

He’s far from alone, though.

Attracting Billy Cooper after a year on Richmond’s VFL list sets the club in even greater stead to challenge Mulwala’s would-be dynasty.

For now, though, Bingham wishes to pay tribute to the existing core that stuck around for another crack this season.

“It’s all a credit to the guys we’ve got at the club at the moment and the positive environment,” Bingham said.

“Other guys have heard a few good things about what’s going on.”

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Kyle Mueller (Kyabram), Russell Eden, Rylen Damianopoulos, Lachlan McMahon (Shepparton Swans), Isaiah Jones, Robbie Mifka (Shepparton United), Billy Cooper (Tatura), Daniel Campbell (Katunga).

OUTS: Elliot Cavallaro (Maroochydore), Dion Gleeson (Chiltern)

NETBA

Morgan Zotti

CO-COACHES: WENDY AND SOPHIE SIDEBOTTOM 2023 FINISH: SEVENTH (10-8)

There are old and new influences at Congupna in 2024 - but lots more of the latter.

While Wendy Sidebottom, an A-grade legend of The Road, saddles up as a co-coach alongside daughter Sophie, the fresh faces will be plenty.

With over 50 registrations lodged to play seniors, one may even be overwhelmed by the change.

“We had lots of players come in during trials,” Sophie said.

“It’s good to see that netballers are eager to get into the club.

“We’ve had a bit of a fresh start this year, and we’re looking forward to an exciting year ahead.”

The Road seeks an upwards trend after tasting defeat to eventual premiers Tongala in the final round and finishing a game shy of finals in 2023.

Former club junior and A-grader Hannah O’Meara returns after obtaining GVL experience, but the overarching message is a simple one.

“We’ve got a lot of new faces and talent, and we’re looking forward to bringing in our juniors,” Sophie said.

Jimmy Boyer

DENILIQUIN RAMS

F TBA

FAST FACTS >> COACHES: ASH MORRIS AND GARY PARSONS 2023 FINISH: NINTH (7-11) 2023 BEST AND FAIREST: BRAYDEN HALL 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: ANGUS DURNAN (36) HOME GROUND: HARDINGE ST OVAL NICKNAME: RAMS

Will the return of championship pedigree signal a change in fortune for Deniliquin in 2024?

2023 was a season of disappointment for Deniliquin as they fell from the finals places to end the season in ninth.

A recruitment drive will renew hope, as will the return of five-time championship-winning coach Gary Parsons, who will join incumbent Ash Morris at the helm.

Also returning from the Rams’ last premiership in 2011 is AFL star Sam Lloyd, who returns to the side, along with Hamish Shepheard and Jack Hobbs, all from Bundoora.

Lloyd is expected to be regularly available, providing star quality to the Rams squad.

Will Shaw will continue to suit up for Deniliquin when not on VFL duties, while Jack Henderson is under a similar agreement.

“First and foremost, we’re really excited about the prospects we’ve got; we think that we’ve built on last year in terms of our list,” Morris said.

“But we’re also hoping that our players from last year improve and are hungry to get better.

“Whilst we didn’t finish as high as we wanted on the ladder last year, we certainly feel that the nucleus is already there.

“We’re confident but we know that we’ve got some quality oppositions to chase down.”

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Sam Lloyd, Hamish Shepheard, Jake Hobbs (Bundoora), Jack Henderson (VFL), Mick Barnett (Thomson), William Henderson (Tatyoon)

OUTS: Zach Lauritsen

NETBA

COACH: RHIANNAN MAXWELL

2023 FINISH: THIRD (18-2)

After winning 39 games in a row going back two seasons, Deniliquin’s 2023 campaign ended with a whimper as they were bundled out of the finals.

First, the streak was broken by Tongala in a shock nine-point semi-final defeat, and then Mulwala compounded the misery, edging the Rams by two in the preliminary final.

However, despite the late blemish on their record, the 2022 champions remain a force to be reckoned with in 2024.

Coach and 2023 Best and Fairest Rhiannan Maxwell returns, as do many of the same faces that have made the Rams a dominant force in the past.

“Something to take from the 2023 season is that you have to continually build throughout the year in both the home and away season and through finals,” said coach Maxwell.

“I definitely don’t think we became complacent, but I think we could have kept on those little one percenters that you need to go your way in the finals.”

“One of our focuses this year is developing our juniors this year and making sure there’s exposure to both 17’s and 15’s players with senior netball.

“All in all, I think it’ll be a really great year for Rams.”

Angus Durnan

Annie Harvey

ECHUCA UNITED

F TBA

FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1994

NICKNAME: EAGLES HOMEGROUND: ECHUCA SOUTH RECREATION RESERVE

COACH: SCOTT BEATTIE PRESIDENT:

PETER QUANCHI PREMIERSHIPS: 2013

2023 FINISH: 10TH (6-12) 2023 BEST AND FAIREST: LEYTON SHENFIELD

2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: JAMES HARNEY (102)

New coach. New team.

That’s the forecast for Echuca United’s start to the 2024 season.

Scott Beattie, a club legend who brought the Eagles its sole premiership in 2013, has returned to coach the senior side.

The Eagles are coming out of a rebuild and are steadily improving each season; they finished in 11th (3-15) in 2022 and then 10th (6-12) in 2023, doubling their wins from the year before.

Nevertheless, Beattie is excited about his current squad and the year ahead.

“It’s been excellent. They’re an exceptionally talented group of guys,” he said.

What Beattie is looking forward to the most over the season is watching an already athletic young side take it up a notch.

“Because they’re a young side, there is a lot of flair in how they play, particularly on the attacking end, which is great to watch.”

Beattie and the rest of the trainers want the team to go out there and enjoy what they are doing.

“I want the players to enjoy their footy and make sure they’re having a good time,” Beattie said.

“With enjoyment comes results, so that’s what we are looking for now.”

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Scott Beattie (Cohuna), Joel King (Chelsea Heights), Tighe Cole (Echuca), Samuel Goodluck (Bracknell), Brady Simpson (Echuca), Riley Armstrong (Leitchville Gunbower), Manny Bowles (Echuca), Jordan Frew (Old Geelong), Reece Sidebottom (Taylors Lakes), Shaun Ha enden (Macorna), Tyler Lethlean (Belconnen Magpies), James Deighton (Creswick), Liam Brett, Christian Johnson, Clayton Summers, Jack Tenace, Jaike Wallace, Max Hobbs

OUTS: Max Childs (Macleod), Fayte Belmont-Wickli e (Tatura), Bailey Boyack(Rochester), Brodie Dixon (Elmore), Kynan Sharpe (Elmore), Joseph Harney (Elmore), James Harney (Elmore), Farran Priest (Bears Lagoon Serpentine)

NETBA

COACH: TANNER EDWARDS

2023 FINISH: SIXTH (13-6)

Echuca United made a brilliant run to earn a finals spot in 2023, and look set to continue that momentum in 2024.

Despite a slow start last year, the Eagles put on a run of seven consecutive wins in the mid-part of the season, while winning five of their last seven games to claim fifth spot on the ladder.

While the side fell at the elimination final stage, it was a brilliant e ort considering the team was helmed by first-year coaches Kate Donehue and Asher Arnel, who have stayed on in an assistant capacity for 2024.

Former premiership Eagle Tanner Edwards will instead lead the side this season, returning to the nest after a stint with Shepparton in the Goulburn Valley League.

Scott Beattie

Jess Davidson

FINLEY

F TBA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: JORDAN

TAYLOR 2023 FINISH: FIFTH (13-7) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST:

TOM LANG AND CHARLIE FORD

2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER:

TOM LANG (95) HOME GROUND: FINLEY RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: CATS

After making the jump into finals last season, Finley will be hoping to cement its spot among the best teams in the MFL in 2024.

But new coach Jordan Taylor doesn’t want to become too focused on what the season may look like. Instead, he is focusing on the Cats process.

“If we are process-driven, we will get the results that we deserve, and if we are resultsdriven, then I don’t reckon we will go as good,” he said.

Although the Cats will be sad to see joint Best-and-Fairest winner Charlie Ford depart, Taylor will be happy with the number and variety of talent that has come through the door during the o -season at the Cattery.

But Taylor knows that talent doesn’t necessarily mean success for Finley, as he believes many MFL sides have strengthened over the summer.

“I think our depth is there, but I understand that there are a lot of sides that have gotten better, so the competition is going to be really solid this year.”

Finley will play its first game of the season against Deniliquin in a twilight match on Good Friday.

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Luke Moore (Colbinabin), Levi Middleton (Cobram), Kyle Coates (Cobram), Kayden Sharp (Mulwala), Jesse White (North Heidelberg Bulldogs), Nick Bertino (Sydney Uni), Jordan Taylor (Wodonga Bulldogs), Jake Maconachie (Yarrawonga), Cruz Nash (Lavington), Mitch Carson (Elmore), Mark Whiley (Yarrawonga).

OUTS: Charlie Ford, Ethan Reeves, Bailey Reeves, Duncan Clarke

EAGLE i MACHINERY - PROUD SPONSOR OF THE MURRAY

LEAGUE WISH ALL TEAMS THE BEST OF LUCK FOR THE 2024 SEASON

NETBA

COACH: MILLY OP’T HOOG

2023 FINISH: 11TH (4-14)

Finley coach Milly Op’t Hoog is buoyed by her side’s depth heading into the 2024 season.

Despite a tough 2023 season where they came 11th with four wins, the culture must be good at the Cattery as no A-grade players have departed during the o -season.

The Cats have also brought some Goulburn Valley talent over the preseason.

Op’t Hoog is especially excited by the additions of Chelsea McDonald from Shepparton Swans and the talented Burke twins, Jasmine and Sienna, from Mooroopna.

“I’m really looking forward to watching Chelsea slot back into our A-grade side as a shooter,” she said.

“She is obviously incredible and has incredible accuracy.

“I’m so excited about the return of the Burke twins.

“I’ve never been at the club when they have played here, but just from the training we’ve had, they are sensational.”

Kayden Sharp

Chelsea McDonald

MOAMA

F TBA

FAST FACTS >> NICKNAME:

MAGPIES HOME GROUND: MOAMA RECREATION RESERVE COACH: SAM SHELDON AND JYE WARREN

2023 FINISH: THIRD (14-7) 2023

BEST-AND-FAIREST: JACK RUSSELL

2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: TOM SHELDON (54)

There is plenty to be optimistic about at Moama Recreation Reserve ahead of the 2024 season.

The 2023 season ended in disappointing circumstances, falling in the preliminary final to eventual premier Mulwala for the second straight year, only this time they were defeated by seven points after leading at every change.

But 2024 is a new year, and the Magpies are now armed with premiership winning experience in Kyabram pair Tom Holman and Liam Barrett, the latter set to assume a playing-assistant coach role having won a flag with Golden Square last season.

Co-coach Jye Warren is optimistic that the pair, along with a number of other recruits, will finally help his side advance to the last weekend of the season.

“Obviously we’ve gone out and recruited some key position players that we feel that we sort of needed to get over that line of getting past the prelim and essentially getting to the grand final,” he said.

“We sort of just went to the drawing board and said ‘what do we need?’, and we’ve found our key position spots needed a bit more of a boost.”

Warren knows that despite two preliminary final appearances in the past two years, nothing is guaranteed, a message which has been drummed into the side in the preseason.

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Tom Holman (Kyabram), Liam Barrett (Golden Square), Danny Brewster (Undera), Jordan McGregor (Shepparton).

OUTS: Liam Ritchie, Callum Doyle (Banks), Jye Smith (Oak Park), Fraser Buchanan (Leitchville-Gunbower), Stuart Taylor (Lockington-Bamawm United)

The region’s premier Sports Injury Clinic

NETBA

COACH: OLIVIA TAVERNA

2022 FINISH: FOURTH (12-8)

Moama put in a solid season in 2023 as the club continued to chase its first A-grade flag since 2018.

Sneaking into finals in sixth spot, the Magpies claimed a brilliant threegoal win over Rumbalara in their elimination final clash before bowing out to Mulwala at the semi-final stage.

Jodie Lake will make way as head coach in 2024, handing the reins over to 200-game Magpie Liv Taverna, with a number of seasoned players looking likely to play on.

A host of talented youngsters will also look to step up in 2024, with the under-17 Pies having claimed the 2023 premiership, and two of those players picked for the Bendigo Strikers under-23 VNL team in Abby Larkin and Hannah Richards.

In what looms as a tightly contested competition, expect Moama to be there or thereabouts in 2024.

Jye Warren

Charlotte Sheldon

MULWALA

F TBA

FAST FACTS >> COACHES: BODHI BUTTS AND KADE ROWE 2023

FINISH: PREMIER (19-2) 2023 BESTAND-FAIREST: JACKSON GASH

2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: JACK SUTHERLAND (80) HOME GROUND: LONSDALE RESERVE NICKNAME: LIONS

You cannot often describe a two-time reigning premier as ‘on the way up’.

For Mulwala, though, there is even more reason to be optimistic about a deep campaign in 2024.

The 2022 and 2023 premiers will look for the first three-peat in Lions history in the beginnings of a dynasty that looks set to rival Nathalia’s five straight flags last decade.

Oh, and adding Dayne Beams to complement a burgeoning list at the club for which his father dominated might bring a few extra patrons through the gates.

Bodhi Butts takes the helm for a second time at Mulwala alongside Tocumwal recruit Kade Rowe.

“The atmosphere is buzzing, and Dayne is the icing on the cake,” Butts said.

“We’ve lost three players, with Jackson Gash being the biggest. Gash will be hard to replace.

“We’ve only lost three, though, and we’ve added 10.

“We’re well aware that we’re the hunted.”

The three losses are notable, with reigning O’Dwyer Medallist Gash among the trio of

premiership players scattering about elsewhere.

That said, Beams alone should significantly bolster a Lions side that already sits high above in the Murray competition, and with 2023 grand final opponents Congupna’s series of marquee signings, Butts’ side will have to earn a three-peat.

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Dayne Beams (Pearcedale), Kade Rowe (Tocumwal), Will Gorman, Max Hemphill (Yarrawonga), Sam Hemphill (Southern Districts), Beau Seymour (Yarrawonga), Harry Haley, Josh Tonna

OUTS: Zech Cuppens, Kayden Sharp (Finley), Jackson Gash

NETBA

CO-COACHES: NARELLE DONOVAN AND STEPHANIE HAMMOND

2023 FINISH: RUNNER-UP (16-6)

Seven goals shy of a premiership in 2023, Narelle Donovan has some help at the helm this season.

In an e ort to rebound from grand final heartbreak, multiple-time A-grade MVP Stephanie Hammond, described by Donovan as “a perfect fit”, will help steer the ship.

The Lions have numerous senior departures to cover on the court, but Donovan is adamant there is more than enough talent waiting in the wings after a successful 2023 campaign.

“Our A-grade team is looking significantly di erent, but still very encouraging,” Donovan said.

“The club is in a fantastic position; it’s a flow-on e ect from what we created last year.

“You can have all the star players out there but that unity is what gets you places. Teamwork and camaraderie will get you there.

“It’ll be a new-look team on court this year.”

Jack Sutherland

Stephanie Hammond

NATHALIA

F TBA

FAST FACTS >> COACHES:

GLENN BOYD AND RYAN BUTLER

2023 FINISH: SIXTH (13-6) 2023

BEST-AND-FAIREST: BAILEY BELL

2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER:

LIAM EVANS (94) HOME GROUND: NATHALIA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: PURPLES

If the blueprint was drafted up at Nathalia last season, the build has now begun.

Ryan Butler and Glen Boyd’s first year at the helm got o to a shaky start with a 2-4 record after six rounds, but a 10 game winning streak which followed shot them straight into finals football.

The Purples now have the tools to reach their end goal in sight after setting the foundation in 2023 - that, Butler is confident of.

“Once we got our groove, it was definitely good to see us starting to gel and work together,” he said.

“We were both on the same page on where we wanted to take the team, got o to a bit of a slow start but then obviously winning 10 in a row , the boys started to understand the game plan.

“They don’t need to learn the game plan, they already know it now. Hopefully they can hit the ground running and take o from what we were building on last year.”

Retaining the spine - guns such as Liam Evans, Brodie Ross and Bailey Bell - is essential to Nathalia’s finals aspirations as is the addition of former Kyabram gunslinger Kayne Pettifer.

The Purples also have as many as eight under-18s breaking into

the senior setup, making for an exciting blend of talent rolling into the fresh season.

“The boys know what we’re about know, we haven’t lost any players and again we’ve got

some young talent coming through from the thirds,” Butler said.

“We don’t want to go upsetting the apple cart by getting a hell of a lot more players in when we’ve got them at our doorstep.”

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Kayne Pettifer (Kyabram), Kian Wise (Tallygaroopna), Ben Pedretti (Shepparton East)

OUTS: None

NETBA

COACHES: TRACEY BRERETON AND KARA BLIZZARD

2023 FINISH: NINTH (6-12)

Nathalia is hosting a homecoming party in 2024 - and it’s set to make serious noise.

The Purples have roped back a swag of former players, many of which have plied their trade in the Goulburn Valley League, as well as consigning two dab hand coaches in Kara Blizzard and Tracey Brereton.

Shepparton United legend Blizzard returns from a playing hiatus after having a baby to link up with 17-year Shepparton Bears’ brains trust Brereton, who cannot wait to return to Nathalia.

“The group that we’ve put together is very exciting, I think we’ve got a lot of versatility and we’ve certainly got a lot of experience coming from the GV back home,” Brereton said.

“Nathalia has produced a lot of fantastic talent and they’re coming home which is great, and across the whole league I think you’ll see a lot of GV players have come back home.”

Some of the names migrating from the GVL include Georgia and Breanne Walpole, Amy Brooks, Rebecca Bohn (Shepparton United) and Ashlee Cann (Shepparton).

Bailey Bell

Ashlee Cann

NUMURKAH

F TBA

FAST FACTS >> CO-COACHES:

SEAN HARRAP, JAMASON DANIELS AND PATRICK RIORDAN 2023

FINISH: FIFTH (13-6) 2023 BESTAND-FAIREST: JAMASON DANIELS

2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: JOSH EVANS (45) HOME GROUND: NUMURKAH SHOWGROUNDS NICKNAME: BLUES

After a promising 2023 season, Numurkah fell over the last two hurdles when it lost to Tongala in the last round (losing out on a spot in the top two) before exiting in the elimination final at the hands of Finley.

However, co-coach Sean Harrap doesn’t hold any gripes over how last season finished as he believes it has provided the team with valuable learnings. This experience, plus adding to their depth, has the Blues primed for a big 2024, according to Harrap.

“We really wanted to add and help our depth as that was a really big improvement area,” he said.

“We are trying to strengthen up our list from what we created last year. It was a really progressive year because I think we had come a fair way from where we were in 2022 to last year, and we obviously want to take another step to this year.”

Harrap said that the club didn’t want to go out and recruit players “willy-nilly” but rather focus on the talent they had within the club.

“We have got some good kids coming through as well out of the thirds,” he said.

“There’s two young kids that played a bit last year, Harry Moon and Tristan Hopkins.

“They are still eligible for thirds, but we are really pushing for these guys to be playing senior footy.”

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Jordan O’Dwyer (Yarrawonga), Tim Arnel, Josh Ho man (Coolangatta), Tommy Scott (Yarroweyah), Luke McLeod (Mooroopna), Dakota Pellegrino (Longwood), Jake Heggart (Shepparton)

OUTS: Hunter Verhoeven, Reeve Verhoeven, Flynn Penberthy (Cobram), Trent Baker (Shepp East)

NETBA

COACH: CAITLYN PRICE

2023 FINISH: EIGHTH (7-11)

Numurkah is on the attack in 2024.

After finishing outside of finals for the last couple of years, the Blues are hoping the fact that their squad has remained similar to last season’s will mean that the group can continue to develop together and become a force in the MNL.

Coach Caitlyn Price believes that one of her hardest jobs during the pre-season is figuring out what roles to assign her players—quite a luxury.

“We are certainly a very versatile group, which is good and bad for the coach, I guess,” she said.

“In terms of having to find set positions for them because everyone can play in almost all spots on the court.”

The Blues have also recruited two quality rival players over the summer.

“It’s definitely good to have Lara (Langford) and Amity (Drayton) join our group this year. They are certainly strong players on the court and ones to keep an eye out for,” Price said.

Jamason Daniels

Amity Drayton

RUMBALARA

F TBA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: JONO HENDERSON 2023 FINISH: 13TH (0-18) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: DESMOND TIPUAMANTUMIRRI

2023 LEADING GOALKICKERS: GRAHAM WESTON AND BAILEY ARMSTRONG (10) GROUND:

RUMBALARA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: RUMBA

It would be a grave understatement to call this a new-look Rumbalara side.

The club has emerged from a miserable 0-18 campaign with a hearty influx of talent — but isn’t about to put major expectations on the table.

Though the list changes are extremely lopsided, the departure of 2023 best-andfairest Des Tipuamantumirri to chase his elite-level dream is a significant loss to Jono Henderson’s side.

Following a late arrival in the job last year, Henderson sees green shoots aplenty with a first full pre-season under his watch.

“I took over in round four or five last year, and we’d lost a lot of players over pre-season,” Henderson said.

“We were very young last year, so we’ve brought people in to add football experience and IQ.

“They’ll all support the young brigade we had last year.”

With facility redevelopment ongoing, Rumbalara will take a scenic tour of the Murray league early in the season.

While the only way to go is up after a fruitless 2023, Henderson has focus on building for seasons to come.

“Ideally we want to win

some games, but we’re not putting anything on the table,” Henderson said.

“This is a three to five-year build and we’re in year one, so we want to compete, work hard and improve.

“Whether the wins come this year or next, we’ll wait and see.”

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Kane Atkinson, Rex Taylor, Ty Parsons, Nathan Kerr, Anthony Miller, Gavin Handy, Jesse Garner, Josh Patmore, Jamie Atkinson, Aston Atkinson, Joziah Nannup, Jake Zebarto, Levi Te Jones, Steve Nabaki, Kydan Atkinson

OUTS: Desmond Tipuamantumirri

NETBA

COACH: JESS BAMBLETT

2023 FINISH: FIFTH (14-5)

There is room to move for Rumbalara—and the netballers may have found their key to getting there.

One of the region’s biggest o -season signings came through the Rumba girls, who have higher aims after an elimination final exit to Moama.

Former three-time Wellman Family medallist Jessie Barnes returns to the club in a move that has coach Jess Bamblett keen for the season ahead.

“We’re all pretty excited to have Jess back at Rumba, and she’s helping our junior development as well,” Bamblett said.

“We had a good season last year, but we’re trying to keep the momentum going.

“We’ve got a couple of juniors fresh out of 17-and-under, so there’s a mixture of the young and the senior core.

“I think we could go an extra step from bowing out of finals pretty early; we’re pretty confident in our ability and team structure.”

Rumbalara squad

Jess Bamblett

TONGALA

F TBA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: BILLY

BARNES 2023 FINISH: 11TH (5-13) 2023 BEST AND FAIREST: COBY MCCARTHY 2023 LEADING

GOAL-KICKER: MACKENZIE RYAN (41) HOME GROUND: TONGALA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: BLUES

Anewera is set to dawn at Tongala in 2024.

After establishing themselves as contenders over the last several seasons, 2023 was a step back for the Blues who slumped to eleventh place in the wake of a player exodus in the 22-23 o season.

This year, the playing stocks have been replenished, and Tongala looks to return to contention, with over a dozen new players set to join the club.

Former 2004 AFL number one draft pick Brett Deledio headlines a bevy of new recruits, including new coach Billy Barnes.

Deledio has 243 top-grade games under his belt for both Richmond and GWS and kicked 197 goals in his time in the league, with his top-level experience sure to be invaluable to a rebuilding Blues side.

Also among the more than a dozen names joining the club are Billy McLay and Angus Scoble from Kyabram, and Mackenzie Cowley from Mooroopna.

The loss of 2023 best and fairest Coby McCarthy will be a big blow, with the Blues hoping the recruitment class can replace his contribution.

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Brett Deledio (GWS), Charlie Angley (Inverloch), Angus Scoble, Billy Mclay (Kyabram), Matt Deledio (Torquay), Brodie Easton (Leongatha), Matthew Caia (St Bedes (VAFA), Mackenzie Cowley (Mooroopna), Nick Woods, Todd Vanroy (Girgarre), Billy Barnes

OUTS: Coby McCarthy (Mooroopna), Ryley Cowley (Girgarre)

NETBA

COACH: GRACE HAMMOND

2023 FINISH: PREMIER (18-2)

Tongala is looking to repeat on a titlewinning triumph in 2023.

Having slowly grown in strength over the last several years, the team broke out last season, culminating with a brilliant finals run where they ended Deniliquin’s run of 39 straight wins before taking the final by seven goals over Mulwala.

The squad remains largely unchanged, with the retirement of Alicia White the only loss from the championship team. She will move into the assistant coach role while Jazmin Clark, formerly of Mooroopna, will take her place on the court.

After claiming the title in her first season at the helm, Grace Hammond returns as coach and is looking for more of the same from her team this time around.

“We’re still a young group again, which I think is one of our biggest advantages,” she said.

“Preseasons been going really well so far, the girls have been hitting the track hard so, hopefully, in 2024, we can continue to build on last season and take it week by week and keep enjoying the process.

“That’s something we focused on last season was enjoying netball and that’s something that we’ll keep using as a driving force again this year.”

Jordan Souter

Corey Drennan

ICIAL FIXTURE SEASON 2024

ROUND 1

March 29 (Good Friday)

Mulwala v Congupna

Tongala v Nathalia

Moama v Echuca United

Numurkah v Rumbalara

Deniliquin v Finley (Twilight)

March 30 (Easter Saturday)

Cobram v Barooga

ROUND 2

April 6

Echuca United v Tongala

Barooga v Mulwala

Finley v Cobram

Rumbalara v Moama

Nathalia v Deniliquin

Congupna v Numurkah

ROUND 3

April 13

Rumbalara v Congupna

Moama v Deniliquin

Tongala v Numurkah

Cobram v Echuca United

Nathalia v Barooga

Mulwala v Finley

ROUND 4 (SPLIT ROUND)

April 20

Congupna v Cobram

Echuca United v Rumbalara

Finley v Moama

April 27

Barooga v Tongala

Deniliquin v Mulwala

April 28

Numurkah v Nathalia

ROUND 5

May 4

Cobram v Numurkah

Nathalia v Congupna

Rumbalara v Deniliquin

Moama v Tongala

Finley v Barooga

Mulwala v Echuca United

ROUND 6

May 11

Deniliquin v Cobram

Congupna v Finley

Numurkah v Mulwala

Tongala v Rumbalara

Barooga v Moama

Echuca United v Nathalia

ROUND 7

May 18

Congupna v Deniliquin

Nathalia v Moama

Echuca United v Barooga

Finley v Numurkah

Cobram v Tongala

Rumbalara v Mulwala

ROUND 8

May 25 (Split Round)

Mulwala v Nathalia

Numurkah v Barooga

Moama v Congupna

June 1

Cobram v Rumbalara

Tongala v Finley

Deniliquin v Echuca United

ROUND 9

June 8 (King’s Birthday)

Congupna v Mulwala

Nathalia v Tongala

Echuca United v Moama

Finley v Deniliquin

Rumbalara v Numurkah

Barooga v Cobram

ROUND 10

June 15

Tongala v Congupna

Moama v Cobram

Numurkah v Deniliquin

Finley v Echuca United

Rumbalara v Nathalia

Mulwala v Barooga

ROUND 11

June 22

Barooga v Rumbalara

Moama v Numurkah

Cobram v Mulwala

Deniliquin v Tongala

Echuca United v Congupna

Nathalia v Finley

ROUND 12

June 29

Nathalia v Cobram

Numurkah v Echuca United

Finley v Mulwala

Tongala v Moama

Congupna v Rumbalara

Barooga v Deniliquin

GENERAL BYE – JULY 6

ROUND 13

July 13

Deniliquin v Nathalia

Cobram v Congupna

Moama v Barooga

Mulwala v Numurkah

Tongala v Echuca United Rumbalara v Finley

ROUND 14

July 20

Congupna v Nathalia

Barooga v Finley

Numurkah v Tongala

Echuca United v Cobram

Deniliquin v Moama

Mulwala v Rumbalara

ROUND 15

July 27

Rumbalara v Echuca United

Cobram v Deniliquin

Tongala v Barooga

Finley v Congupna

Moama v Mulwala

July 28

Nathalia v Numurkah

ROUND 16 (SPLIT ROUND)

August 3

Congupna v Moama

Mulwala v Tongala

Barooga v Nathalia

August 10

Numurkah v Cobram

Deniliquin v Rumbalara

Echuca United v Finley

ROUND 17

August 17

Cobram v Finley

Nathalia v Mulwala

Moama v Rumbalara

Tongala v Deniliquin

Echuca United v Numurkah

Barooga v Congupna

ROUND 18

August 24

Mulwala v Cobram

Numurkah v Moama

Finley v Nathalia

Deniliquin v Barooga

Congupna v Echuca United

Rumbalara v Tongala

FINALS

1st Elimination Final: August 31

2nd Elimination Final: September 1

2nd Semi Final: September 7

1st Semi Final: September 8

Preliminary Final: September 14

Grand Final: September 21

GOULBURN VA EY GIANTS KICK O 2024 AFL MASTERS CAMPAIGN WITH CA TO OVER-35 PLAYERS

AFL Masters football is a platform on which the symbolism goes far deeper than catering to “yesterday’s heroes”.

The Goulburn Valley Giants are gearing up for a 2024 campaign that organiser David Davis hopes is the most fulfilling yet.

The real rewards are found o the field in a competition that plays not for premiership points, but for promoting men’s socialisation and well-being.

“Its core values as a whole are that it was originally made up for men’s health,” Davis said.

“Those who had played footy or another sport all their lives, in retirement, then lose three or four days of their weeks to nothing.

“Sometimes, that plays a pretty big role in their mental stability. We o er that opportunity to have an outlet to have a kick and do what they enjoy.

“It’s also for people who have never played; us as blokes, you have a beer, chat to mates and solve the world’s issues.”

Lining up in the regional Victorian division of over-35 competition, Masters clubs like the Giants carry significantly fewer commitments than others in the established leagues.

Davis views this as another broadreaching benefit in balancing

responsibilities and maintaining a sense of routine.

“Some of these guys might have played at a Shepp Bears or a Shepp United for 20 or 25 years,” Davis said.

“Because we only train once a week and play once a fortnight, they can not only spend time with family, but it opens up an outlet for them to volunteer with their local club.

“A lot of clubs portray themselves as ‘family clubs’, but our kids train with us, and that’s what you need when you get a bit older.

“We can have 12 or 13-year-olds running water for us, and that’s a dad getting to spend one-on-one time with his kid.

“Ultimately, the whole thing is football for fun. We don’t play for premiership points, we play for fun and health.”

It is indeed the health front where the impact of ventures like Masters strikes closest to home for Davis.

He has attested to multiple instances where people have credited the Giants environment with significantly improving—perhaps even saving—the lives of players at the club.

“We had our first kick of the footy in 2016 and, since then, we’ve had one or two people who are licensed psychologists,” Davis said.

“It’s been advertised since day dot; mateship can only go so far, and you can talk to them if you have a problem.

“We know through wives that we’ve

made a big di erence and saved a couple of lives.

“People have come to us saying, ‘this guy was on the edge, but we’ve brought him back’.

“You still need your outlet and we o er that.”

Head to Goulburn Valley Giants Masters on Facebook to find out more.

Brothers in arms: GV Giants’ David Davis and Cameron McGregor advocate the club’s spirit.

Winter sport is back!

PREMIER 2023

KDL ACTION IS JUST AROUND THE BEND, COMPLETE WITH A THE FIREWORKS

Can the juggernauts maintain their dominance? Or will new contenders surface and rise to the top?

Those are the kind of questions being posed ahead of a fresh Kyabram District League campaign, with no shortage of talking points emerging ahead of round one.

It was blue at the top last year with Lancaster going back to back in the senior football while Shepparton East clinched the A-grade netball decider—but can history repeat?

Rushworth has re-entered the senior football fray after a year o , set to join the other 13 success-hungry clubs vying for the ultimate prize.

All things considered, this season won’t be one to miss.

MCNAMARA MEDA ISTS

2023: Braydon Avola (Avenel)

2022: Jack Exell (Violet Town)

2021: Tom Davies (Lancaster)

2019: Kaine Herbert (Undera)

2018: Kaine Herbert (Undera)

2017: Sam Poole (Violet Town)

2016: Kasey Duncan (Avenel)

2015: Don Stirling (Avenel)

2014: Mick Shiels (Nagambie)

2013: Josh Pell (Merrigum)

WA EN MEDA ISTS

2023: Gemma O’Sullivan (Dookie United)

2022: Bree Giles (Tallygaroopna)

2021: Holly Butler (Girgarre)

2019: Chicky Barr (Stanhope)

2018: Chicky Barr (Stanhope)

2017: Sharni Lloyd (Nagambie)

2016: Kathryn Hard (Avenel)

2015: Renee Lea (Merrigum)

2014: Ellie Lothian (Lancaster)

2013: Sharni Lloyd (Rushworth)

LA ER PREDICTIONS:

FOOTBALL

1: Lancaster

2: Murchison-Toolamba

3: Nagambie

4: Shepparton East

5: Avenel

NETBALL

1:: Tallygaroopna

2: Shepparton East

3: Girgarre

4: Nagambie

5: Dookie United

6: Stanhope

7: Tallygaroopna

8: Violet: Town

9: Merrigum

10: Girgarre

11: Longwood

12: Dookie United

13: Undera

14: Rushworth

PREMIER 2023

6: Avenel

7: Violet Town

8: Merrigum

9: Stanhope

10: Lancaster

11: Undera

12: Murchison-Toolamba

13: Longwood

14: Rushworth

PAST PREMIERS:

FOOTBALL

2023: Lancaster

2022: Lancaster

2019: Nagambie

2018: Tallygaroopna

2017: Nagambie

NETBALL

2023: Shepparton East

2022: Tallygaroopna

2019: Stanhope

2018: Nagambie

2017: Nagambie

2023.

AVENEL

FAST FACTS >> COACH: MATTHEW HUY 2023 FINISH: SEVENTH (7-9)

2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: BRAYDON AVOLA 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: DYLAN HOYSTED (45) HOME GROUND: AVENEL RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: SWANS. NETBALL >> CO-COACHES: ASH HANSEN AND NICOLE LORD 2023 FINISH: EIGHTH (7-8)

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After a year of rebuilding in 2023 the Swans have set their sights on a finals berth for 2024.

Under the new leadership of Matthew Huy, Avenel finished seventh after a huge upheaval prior to the season’s beginning.

The o -season this time around has been much steadier, with Huy confirmed as coach early on and a steady stream of signings and re-signings locked in.

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There’s quiet confidence at Avenel that the A-grade girls will be playing finals again in 2024.

After missing out on the top six by two points last season, co-coaches Nicole Lord and Ashley Hansen have the Swans working over time.

“It’s been quite full on,” Lord said.

D“We started our preseason quite early at the end of last year.

“We’ve had heaps of girls interested and I think we’re just focusing on our fitness and things that really let us down last year.

“We’re just looking to have a really good hit out with everybody and hopefully at least be finals contenders for the season.”

KIE UNITED

The announcement that Broadford would not field a senior side in 2024 after its failed attempt to join the KDL has seen an influx of players to the Swans.

“The Broadford boys that have come on board are very experienced footballers,” Huy said.

“Their leadership at the training sessions (has been impressive). It looks like we’ve got a real bunch of boys going this year.

“Boys are really buying into what’s been happening this season and working their backsides o pretty much.

“We never try to look too far. Put his game that you play one week at a time, but we will play finals this year.”

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Hugh Smith (Seymour), Alex Crawford, Alex Crnko (Wallan), Cody Lorenzi (Hawthorn Amateurs), Josh Hoysted (Epping) Declan Teohaere, Braydon Hardsta , Liam Lucas, Josh Delaney, Gus Norris (Broadford), Charles Neilson (Assumption College Kilmore), Neeson Cook (Mernda)

OUTS: Kyle Maynard (North Heidelberg), Tom Tobin (moved to Queensland)

FAST FACTS >> COACH: ANDY O’CONNOR 2023 FINISH: FIFTH (10-7) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: JOSH

KEZERLE 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: KYLE TAPSCOTT (39) HOME GROUND: DOOKIE RECREATION RESERVE

NICKNAME: THUNDER. NETBALL >> COACH: LAURA HENDERSON 2023 FINISH: THIRD (16-3)

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Despite consistently being one of the best sides in the KDNL over the past few years, Dookie United has a serious case of always the bridesmaid and never the bride.

In her second year back as coach, Laura Henderson has an idea of how to change that, and that is to “wing it”.

“Obviously, what we have been doing the last few

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Dookie’s hopes of featuring in finals again may have taken a hit after several key players departed the club during the o -season.

While coach Andy O’Connor understands this may give outsiders an opinion that all hope is lost for the Thunder in 2024, O’Connor believes that with a good mix of young and old players, anything is possible for Dookie in 2024.

“A few from the younger brigade will be getting a bit more of an opportunity this season,” he said.

years hasn’t got us there (premiership), so we need to change it up,” she said.

Henderson also said she is excited to watch the development of one of United’s young stars.

“We have got Georgia Caruana in the backline,” she said.

“She is getting herself pretty fit at the moment, so I think she will have a really great season.”

“A few of the older guard, like myself and guys in their 30s, but the younger guys coming through as well. It’s good to have a few older heads, but also that enthusiasm coming through, and so I think we will be trying to build on that.”

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Connor Hayes, Harrison Walsh, David Mundi, Michael Galcin, Lachie Dickie

OUTS: Josh Kezerle, Dylan Mill, Jarrad Newman, Kyle Orchard, Jye Limosani, Jack Threlfall, Tom Johnstone, Henry Wedding, Henry Cook

Paul Arandt Dookie players celebrate a goal.

Georgia Caruana

Ash Hansen

FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1920 NICKNAME: KANGAROOS HOMEGROUND: GIRGARRE RECREATIONAL

RESERVE COACH: BRENDAN BAUMANN PRESIDENT: MATTHEW GRAETZ PREMIERSHIPS: 1952, 1976, 1983, 1991 2023 FINISH: 13TH (3-13) 2023 BEST AND FAIREST: RYAN BUTLER 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: ETHAN PALMA-LUDEMAN (25). NETBALL >> COACH: ABBEY BUTLER 2023 FINISH: FOURTH (13-5)

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An unchanged Girgarre side is looking to go a couple of steps further in a bid to take home this year’s top prize.

A fourth placed finish and semi-final elimination were encouraging signs from a team that ended in ninth the year before.

Head coach Abbey Butler believes the key to glory for Girgarre is in their excellent defence.

“We had a very strong defensive side last year and we have worked in the

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Coming o the back of an underwhelming 2023 campaign, Girgarre has fortified its youth with experienced signings this o -season.

With the hope of making a push for the 2024 finals, Kangaroos senior coach Brendan Baumann spoke about the reasoning for adding veteran depth.

preseason on tightening that defence further to propel us forward,” she said.

Butler also is impressed by how dynamic the team has become.

“We are a very versatile side this year with players that can play di erent positions,” she said.

Butler and the girls are looking forward to jumping at the chance to win it all in 2024.

“The girls are pumped and ready to take on the year.”

LANCASTER

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Lancaster won’t be bogged down by its 11th place finish last season.

Instead, the Wombats look forward to the year ahead where their objective is to have fun while being competitive.

“Our goal is to have some fun whilst developing together as a team,” coach Michelle Hill said.

Lancaster has made some changes, particularly to the goaling end by bringing in the expertise of

stars such Chicky Vick and Caddison Mulholland.

“With our additions we are focusing on our biggest weakness from last year, our o ence. We are aiming to put more points on the board this season,” Hill said.

Hill expressed her delight with how the team chemistry is developing.

“The girls are bonding together really well. I’m really pleased with how much fun the preseason has been.”

“We were a very young side last year with not much senior experience in terms of games,” Baumann said.

“Our focus over the preseason has been about developing structure and adding some experience with our new recruits to compliment our youth.”

Girgarre had a couple of tight games last year where it let victory slip in the final quarter.

Now, the Roos are hoping their new depth can turn those losses into wins.

“In tight games we hope that our new experienced players can stand up and get us over the line more often than we did last year,” Baumann said.

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Josh Marino, Richie Ahmad (Hadfield), Ryley Cowley (Tongala), Josh Temple (Fair Park)

OUTS: Nick Woods, Todd Vanroy (Tongala), Liam Edwards (Longwood), Josh Patmore (Rumbalara)

FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1910 NICKNAME: WOMBATS HOME GROUND: LANCASTER RECREATION

RESERVE COACH: TOM DAVIES PRESIDENT: ROD O’NEIL PREMIERSHIPS: 1912, 1919, 1932, 1980, 1981, 1988, 1992, 2001, 2011, 2022, 2023 2023 FINISH: PREMIER (16-2) 2023 BEST AND FAIREST: ZAC CERRONE 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: ZAC CERRONE (43). NETBALL >> COACH: MICHELLE HILL 2023 FINISH: 11TH (5-11)

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Lancaster is looking to make it three premierships in a row in the 2024 Kyabram District League.

Following its dominant 65-point victory over Nagambie to win the 2023 premiership, Lancaster cemented its as a team for the ages in this competition.

Yet, the Wombats want more. Their eyes are firmly set on a hallowed three-peat that would see them enter the history books, being the first team to win threein-a-row since Shepparton East won four from 1958-61.

Coach Tom Davies is confident in his side, pointing to health throughout the season as the key to continued success.

“We are focusing more on match fitness this year,” Davies said.

“Our skill is there, its about maintaining stamina and looking after ourselves throughout the year.

“Our small forwards were key last year, so we want put the ball in their hands.

Davies still remains positive that Lancaster can accomplish the historic feat.

“It’s a long season so you need things to go your way but we know we have what it takes to win and are confident we can do it again.”

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Nick Kellow (Elmore), Adam Vick (year away)

OUTS: Luke Davies (Shepparton), Jack Donnell (Stanhope), Bradley Orr (retired)

Ryley Cowley

Cameron Simpson

Jacqui Gahan

Laura Thomson

LONGW D

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FAST FACTS >> COACH: JORDAN FORMOSA 2023 FINISH: NINTH (7-9) 2023 BESTAND-FAIREST: JYE FORMOSA 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: RHYS CASON AND DAKOTA PELLEGRINO (20) HOME GROUND: LONGWOOD RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: REDLEGS. NETBALL >> COACH: BRONWYN KINNEAR 2023 FINISH: 12TH (2-14)

Longwood is stripping netball back to its core this season.

New coach Bronwyn Kinnear arrives with a background in personal training and mental health work, hoping to draw on the holistic benefits and converting it into freeflowing netball.

“Bringing in the mental health and background in fitness into netball is important, so I’m hoping to make the year enjoyable for all of the players,” she said.

“That’s part of why they

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What Longwood achieved in 2023 was nothing short of inspiring - but the Redlegs aren’t happy to rest on their laurels just yet.

From zero wins in 2022 to a 7-9 ledger last season, Longwood coach Jordan Formosa has been busy packing out his list with a string of ins to make sure to rise from bottom to mid table isn’t a flash in the pan.

all play.”

Kinnear, previously of Kilmore, has brought a handful of players north east and is keen on unifying the group to help foster an upwards trajectory across the board.

“What I’m really looking for is improvement, going up the ladder would be a bonus but even if it’s watching their game improve - and the players really noticing that and being exciting about playing and being on the court,” she said.

ME IGUM

“We’ve addressed a lot of what we neeed we think so hopefully we’re looking well,” he said.

“We’ve had a pretty good o -season/pre-season and we’re ready to get into it.”

Longwood has addressed height and size aplenty in its o -season recruiting drive.

Luke Chapman and Mitch Van De Duim to Kilmore are noticeable omissions, however, bringing the likes of Hayden McGrath and Josh Hyland more than makes up for the departures.

“We’ve got to do a lot di erently than we did last year (but) we’re a long way in front of where we were last year,” Formosa said.

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Home grown netball product Maddy Wilson will realise a dream when she leads the Merrigum A grade team into the 2024 Kyabram district league season.

She started her netball with Merrigum way back in 2016, at under-15 level, before quickly being promoted into senior ranks.

Wilson has been no

stranger to success and will be hoping to guide the Bulldogs, which finished last season in ninth position back into the finals.

They were only one game outside the top six, outstanding in several games at the defensive end, but unable to match its output at the attacking end of the court.

“We were coming from a low base, we’ve been in the system for a year now so we’re just looking to add layers to our game.”

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Jackson Caulfield (Wycheproof Narraport), Isaak Eastick (North Shore), Liam Edwards, Brayden Klemke, Flynn Pianta-Cook, Will Pointer (Heathcote), Zane Vukcevic (MurchisonToolamba), Michael Coonerty, Kayden Coonerty (Undera), Hayden McGrath (Castlemaine), Josh Hyland (Benalla All Blacks)

OUTS: Mitch Van De Duim, Luke Chapman (Kilmore), Dakota Pellegrino (Numurkah)

FAST FACTS >> COACHES: LEIGH HALL AND DARCY COLLINS 2023 FINISH: 10TH (6-10) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: ZAK PARKINSON 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: JAYDON STILES (35) HOME GROUND: MERRIGUM RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: BULLDOGS. NETBALL >> COACH: MADDY WILSON 2023 FINISH: NINTH (7-9)

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New Merrigum co-coaches

Darcy Collins and Leigh Hall are planning to use a slingshot style of game to make up for the challenges of losing two of the Bulldogs best attacking players from last season, Jordan Easton and Jarryd Pertzel.

The pair are among a handful of Melbourne based players who will not be returning, but Hall and Collins are designing a game plan around a strong defence.

Collins, who will fill the key defensive post for the team, will have club captain and reigning best and fairest Zak Parkinson as company at the back end.

Parkinson will, of course, spent significant time in the mid-field in an attempt to give the Bulldogs impetus from its back end.

Easton was regularly the Bulldogs best player last year and Pertzel kicked 32 goals in 13 games, second only to last year’s coach Jayden Stiles (35 goals).

Stiles will also be missing from the line-up, as will his

PLAYER CHANGES

brother, after the club fi nished 10th last year with only wins against 12th ranked Violet Town (twice) and bottom team Girgarre.

INS: Mason Coote, Jacob Russell, Jordy Priestley (Echuca United), Jake Gascoyne (Kyabram) Riley Locke, Brayden Hall (Tatura), Brad Taylor

OUTS: Jordan Easton, Jarryd Pertzel

Jye Formosa

Brayden Hall

Maddy Wilson

Tamee Quinlan

MURCH-T L

FAST FACTS >> COACH: BRETT FOLEY 2023 FINISH: FOURTH (15-3) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: JAMES MILNE

2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: JAMES LLOYD (74) HOME GROUND: MURCHISON RECREATION RESERVE

NICKNAME: GRASSHOPPERS. NETBALL >> COACH: ALICE CUNNINGHAM 2023 FINISH: 14TH (1-14)

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Murchison-Toolamba has witnessed a changing of the guard over summer.

Alice Cunnigham returns to the A-grade coaching role in place of Misti Gow, stepping in with bold ambitions for the Hoppers’ 2024 hopes.

“Returning to the coaching role is exciting

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“We’re just trying to go one better”.

Those words belong to Murchison-Toolamba coach Brett Foley, who’s all fire and brimstone following a period where the Hoppers have been right around the mark without reward post-COVID.

Minimal outages for Foley’s well-rounded list has him buoyant the Hoppers will be again competing for the top prize, and a swag of returning players like the Devine brothers have beefed up the green army’s stocks.

But Foley wants to see results in September—that’s non-negotiable.

because of the crew we have on board,” she said.

“When you look around at the coaching group and the playing cohort it’s full of really fun, great people.

“I think we’ll be pretty handy on the court as well so I’m going to be ambitious and pencil in a position in the top five.”

NAGAMBIE

“We’re just going in with a mindset this year that we’ve proved nothing really,” he said.

“We’ve lost a granny, we’ve lost a semi final—we’ve probably had the cattle but in a couple of big games we’ve let ourselves down.

“We’ll just be pushing to be as fit as we can, hopefully injuries go our way …and we might be able to chase down Lancaster.”

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After a strong 2023 netball campaign, Nagambie has made coaching changes across the board to take their teams to the next level.

At the top, Kristy Gleeson has flown across from the Shepparton Swans to take on the A-grade coaching job.

After getting a look at the players throughout pre-season, Gleeson was quietly confi dent about the 2024 season.

“We are looking at an A/B squad because, in reality, our B-grade could probably play A-grade,” Gleeson said.

“That’s how strong we feel that it is this year.

“We have had a massive change in terms of our coaching sta throughout our grades.

“They’re all fresh faces, and I think we’re all connecting and communicating, and we’re all excited for one another for our new challenges.”

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Lachie Devine, Ryan Devine (Yarragon), Callum Miller (Undera), Jai Utiger (Shepparton East) Justin Campbell (Mooroopna)

OUTS: Fletcher Paul (Euroa), George Brisbane (Katunga), Charles McAdam (Alice Springs)

FAST FACTS >> COACH: HARLEY TAYLOR-LLOYD, 2023 FINISH: RUNNER UP (16-3) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: TOM BARNES 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: WILLIAM DALTON (45) HOME GROUND: NAGAMBIE RECREATION

RESERVE NICKNAME: LAKERS. NETBALL >> COACH: KRISTY GLEESON 2023 FINISH: FIFTH (12-5)

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The 2023 grand finalists will be hoping to go one better in 2024. Nagambie stalwart Harvey Taylor-Lloyd has stepped up to the main job at the Lakers and sure to his team fresh for the new season.

“Everyone’s starting to just hit their straps now,” Taylor-Lloyd said.

“Plenty of boys are starting to do the extras and making the e ort to really get into the structure.

“The ins we’ve brought in are mainly local players returning, so that side of it just brings us more knowledge and more experience.

Despite losing a number of key players over the o -season, Taylor-Lloyd is confident his team will be as competitive as they were last season.

“We’ve lost the two Lavery boys in the new year,” he said.

“Trent won the best in fairest in 2022 and then came runners-up last year, and Blake has been a dynamic small forward for us. So they’re two huge outs.

“We’re probably looking like topping up and going again; we’ve definitely got the talent.”

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Ben Tarran (Seymour), Brodie Asquith (Euroa)

OUTS: Trent Lavery (Woodend), Blake Lavery (Woodend), Tom Barnes (injury), Will Dalton (injury)

Alice Cunningham

Maddison Biggs

Lachie Devine

Tom Barnes

RUSHWORTH

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The Rushworth Tigers are in the midst of a rebuild.

Their 2023 season is evidence of that, finishing in last place in the Kyabram District Football Netball League with a record of 1–15.

However, that hasn’t stopped senior coach Christie Thomas from looking at the positives.

“We are trying to develop our senior side through our promising juniors coming through the ranks,” Thomas said.

“Our main goal for this year is getting the team working together and start to build some real chemistry.”

However, one thing that hasn’t left the club is a feeling of community according to Thomas.

“We aim to foster a sense of team spirit where everyone can be helpful in rebuilding this club from the ground up.”

SHE EAST

FAST FACTS >> JOINED

NO

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After not fielding a side in the 2023 Kyabram District League senior competition, the Tigers are back this year with a lot to prove.

Coach Mark Wheatley says that his new outfit is ready to meet the challenge.

“This is a great opportunity not only as a coach but for the players to build back our club and sporting community,” Wheatley said.

The decision to not play a team came on the back of a disappointing 2022 campaign where they only won one game and parted ways with senior coach Damian Wust half way through the season.

The new head coach Wheatley, would prefer to look ahead than be reminded of their disappointing past.

“We always want to acknowledge our past but also want to look towards the future with our main goal of becoming competitive again,” he said.

With 15 new signings and a complete overhaul of talent, Rushworth are starting from the ground up.

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Daniel Edwards (Co s Harbour), Zac Dixon (Kangaroo Flat), Jarrod Sheppard (Nagambie), Dylan Arnold (Pascoe Vale), Ethan Arnold, Isaac Gri n, Nico McKinley (White Hills), Blair Boyd (Eaglehawk), Darcy McKinley (Inglewood), Nick Oaten (Ormond)

OUTS: Nil

FAST FACTS >> COACH: DWAIN VIDLER 2023 FINISH: THIRD (15-4) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: ADAM FICHERA

2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: HYSEN ISMET (36) HOME GROUND: CENTRAL PARK NICKNAME: EAGLES.

NETBALL >> COACHES: BIANCA KELLY AND KATE DURLING 2023 FINISH: PREMIER (18-0)

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Shepparton East achieved the ultimate goal last season when it defeated Tallygaroopna in the grand final.

So the question is - how do the Eagles do it again?

To start with, they have updated the coaching sta by appointing two new co-coaches, Bianca Kelly and Kate Durling.

Co-coach Kelly said there won’t be too many systematic changes to

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Shepparton East hopes to go two steps further in 2024 after being knocked out by Nagambie in last year’s preliminary final.

The Eagles have brought back 2016 premiership coach Dwain Vidler, who says the club is looking to play a simple brand of football this season.

“I think we need to make sure we are as fit as we can,” he said.

“We understand the level of football we are playing, so we don’t want to over complicate things. It’s more just making sure that we are really good at the basic stu .”

what has proven to be a successful program, rather minor positional tweaks.

“We are looking forward to playing together again,” she said.

“A few of us have been together for the last six years.”

“There’s a few changes in each third of the court. We don’t know what the teams we are coming up against (are like).”

The Eagles have an abundance of talented youth emerging in their midfield, with Zac Groombridge and Jayden Dhosi hoping to make an impact in 2024.

Like most modern coaches, Vidler says the club isn’t too focused on the wins and losses column but rather the team’s competitiveness week-in-week-out.

“The good sides like Nagambie, Lancaster, Murchison; they are going to be really strong again, so we just want to make sure we are able to compete against the good sides in the competition,” he said.

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Jayden Dhosi (Shepparton), Craig Dhosi (Shepparton), Trent Baker (Numurkah), Jaycob Kerambrun (Tatura), Jake Sutherland (Avenel), Dillon Mill (Dookie), Ben McCluskey, Morgan Randell

OUTS: Ian Fry, Jai Utiger, Jai Morrison, Ben Pedretti

Jenna Lambden

Bianca Kelly

LEAGUE: 1882 NICKNAME: TIGERS HOME GROUND: IRONBARK STADIUM COACH: MARK WHEATLEY PRESIDENT: GLENN OUTTEN PREMIERSHIPS: 2004 2023 FINISH:

TEAM FIELDED. NETBALL >> COACH: CHRISTIE THOMAS 2023 FINISH: 14TH (1-15)

Rushworth will field a senior side once more in 2024 after sitting on the sidelines last season.

Dwain Vidler

STANHOPE

FAST FACTS >> COACH: ADAM LOVISON 2023 FINISH: SIXTH (9-8) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: JONATHAN

PEARSON 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: TOM RENNIE (62) HOME GROUND: UNDERA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: LIONS. NETBALL >> COACHES: FLEUR NURSE AND FELICITY HALL 2023 FINISH: SEVENTH (7-8-1)

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Stanhope Co-coaches Fleur Nurse and Felicity Hall have set the bar high in 2024, aiming to set aside the disappointment of missing the finals by two points last year.

Nurse said goal shooter Nicole Rogers was returning to her home Calavil and Grace Jackson-Kightly would miss the season with work commitments.

Two ready made replacements, former players at the club, will step into the breach.

Erin Hopkins, partner

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Lancaster premiership player Jack Donnell headlines a handful of recruits who have arrived at Stanhope under the guidance of new coach Adam Lovison.

of club stalwart Craig Emmett, brings a wealth of experience to the defensive end having played A grade Goulburn Valley league netball with Shepparton Swans for several years.

“We were not far o last season and matched it with all the top teams apart from Dookie,” Nurse said.

“Last year was a development year, with new coaches, a new playing group and some junior players making their way into the team.”

TA YGAR PNA

Donnell came into the in the senior grand final team that thrashed Nagambie in the grand final to take back to back premierships despite having missed the last two home and away games, along with the first final.

Donnell has been a regular in Lancaster’s senior team since crossing from Kyabram in 2016 and was a star in the Goulburn Valley Under 18 competition. His younger brother Luke joins him at Stanhope, having played eight season games with Lancaster last year and earning himself a reserves premiership medal for his e orts.

Up until 2022 he had played most of his football with Kyabram.

Tongala duo Blake McAuli e and Daniel Maher join Stanhope after both playing senior Murray league football last season.

NETBA

After two straight grand finals post-pandemic—and just five losses in that time—there’s little need to experiment, right?

Despite falling by the wayside in the final quarter of 2023 against the might of Shepparton East, Fiona Down’s charges boast a remarkably similar makeup heading into the new season.

Why not, anyway?

“Bree Giles and (2023 best-and-fairest) Georgia

Foster will mentor some of the girls coming up from B-grade and juniors,” Down said.

“We’re probably in a phase of development; there are a number of senior players who feel like it’s their time to start moving down.”

As far as the near-total lack of squad changes, Down puts the team stability down to “what a family-oriented club we are”.

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Daniel Maher, Blake McAuli e (Tongala), Jack Donnell, Luke Donnell (Lancaster), Daniel Brock (Undera), OUTS: Jye Adamson, Noah Hennessy (overseas), Joe Nesci (work commitments), Jake Rennis (injury)

FAST FACTS >> COACH: DANIEL CLARKE 2023 FINISH: EIGHTH (7-9) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: DANIEL

CLARKE 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: KIAN WISE (26) HOME GROUND: TALLYGAROOPNA RECREATION

RESERVE NICKNAME: REDLEGS. NETBALL >> COACH: FIONA DOWN 2023 FINISH: RUNNER UP (15-4)

F TBA

Tallygaroopna arrives into 2024 full of promise and optimism—and after a muchimproved 2023 campaign, this is understandable.

Four additional wins on the board allowed the Redlegs to sign o at 7–9 in their KDL endeavours, and coach (as well as reigning best-and-fairest) Daniel Clarke is bullish about his side’s o -season improvements.

“The side this year has a much more potent forward line, and more options with variety through the midfield,” Clarke said.

“We played with a relatively undersized forward line (in 2023); we had an issue with scoring once it was down there.

“The side’s a few goals better o , but it doesn’t mean we’re going to be better than every other side.

“We’ve got to make sure we work hard to improve, and we have to capitalise on our e orts.”

Regaining skipper Zac Brett after an injury-curtailed season will give Redlegs fans more reason to dream of September football.

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Jayden Clarke (Waaia), Brent Arho, Cael McCarthy OUTS: Kian Wise (Nathalia).

Daniel Brock

Kian Wise

Erin Hopkins

Fiona Down

NETBA

In 2024, Undera may again not be pushing for the top end of the ladder, but that hasn’t doused incoming coach Amy Marshall’s enthusiasm one bit.

“I’m not excited for one person; I’m excited to see how our new combinations gel together,“ she said.

”I think we are starting to create a nice level of depth through that A-B-grade level.“

While Marshall understands that Undera may not be in premiership contention just yet, she is determined for her side to improve this season.

“We want to do better than last year,” she said.

“(Working on team strategy) I think that

VIOLET TOWN UNDERA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: GLENN HART 2023 FINISH: 11TH (4-11) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST:

NIC CUNNINGHAM 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: DANNY BREWSTER (54) HOME GROUND: UNDERA RECREATION

RESERVE NICKNAME: LIONS. NETBALL >> COACH: AMY MARSHALL 2023 FINISH: 10TH (5-11)

F TBA

could get us more wins this year. And I’m excited to see how that translates on court.”

Youth, youth, youth. That’s the plan at Undera this year.

Incoming coach Glenn Hart believes that if the Lions wish to bring sustained success to the club, they must let the bright spark of youth lead the way.

“Predominantly this year, we are really looking to develop the younger guys,“ he said.

“We really want to target a core young group that can take us to the next level.

“I just want them to get out there and play footy without too many restrictions. Allow themselves to showcase their skills.”

Hart believes another key pillar to Undera’s hopeful future success is bringing more stability among the club’s coaches and leaders.

“(A goal is) to really get some continuity within the club and the senior ranks,“ he said.

“The boys were telling me they have had nine coaches in the last five years. I am there to stabilise that and to give the players and the club some solidarity and belief that we are going to stick fat here.”

NETBA

A new era of netball is under way in Violet Town.

Magie Hamil has taken over the reins of the Towners’ A-grade and B-grade squads for 2024.

Hamil may only be new to town, but with 40 years of coaching experience, she will surely have the girls fighting for a finals berth.

“I started going to watch the footy and netball the

day after we moved here,” Hamil said.

“I love the town, I love the people, and the club is one of the most welcoming clubs I’ve been at.

“If we have our way, there will be eight netball teams representing Violet Town this season, and I think that is something to be incredibly proud of.”

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Jack Miller (Kyabram), Ethan Hart (Kyabram), Tony Cox (Shepparton East), Luke Young (Shepparton East)

OUTS: Danny Brewster (Moama), Logan Campbell (Mooroopna)

FAST FACTS >> COACH: WALLY ARMSTRONG, 2023 FINISH: 12TH (3-13) 2023 BEST-AND-FAIREST: RILEY

DOWELL 2023 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: RYAN SUTHERLAND (16) HOME GROUND: VIOLET TOWN RECREATION

RESERVE NICKNAME: TOWNERS. NETBALL >> COACH: MAGIE HAMILL 2023 FINISH: SIXTH (8-9)

F TBA

The future looks bright for Violet Town football.

With an under-18s premiership under their belts in 2023, the Towners are not lacking in terms of talent.

But time is the key factor, and Violet Town needs players for now.

The Towners finished 12th last season, six wins a drift from a finals berth.

The signing of the prolific forward Brody Webster from Benalla, among a plethora of other new players, has got coach Wally Armstrong excited.

“Brody Webster, I’d call him the human highlight reel,” Armstrong said.

“But he hasn’t played a lot of footy in the last couple of years, so we’ve got to keep him sound.”

“We’ve got a few more locals on board this year, and our numbers have been reasonable.

“(We’ve kept) top-end players from last season, and we’ve also gained a few top-end players.

“I think we’ll be in the bottom part of the finals (or) just outside the finals. We’re certainly not in a premiership window right now.”

PLAYER CHANGES

INS: Brody Webster, Alex Symes Robinson (Benalla), Heath Dowie (Euroa), Cain Atkinson, Mitch Saunders, Jack Doidge

OUTS: Thomas McKay, Jordan Lampi, Pras Sayakhot, Andrew Bradbury (moved to Melbourne)

Breanna Seal

Ethan Hart

Brody Webster

Jayde Burden

ICIAL FIXTURE SEASON 2024

ROUND 1

Saturday, April 13

Dookie United v Undera

Girgarre v Tallygaroopna

Lancaster v Stanhope

Shepp East v Longwood

Merrigum v Rushworth

Sunday, April 14

Avenel v Violet Town

Murch-Toolamba v Nagambie

ROUND 2

Saturday, April 20

Undera v Avenel

Tallygaroopna v Dookie United

Shepp East v Lancaster

Rushworth v Longwood

Nagambie v Merrigum

Violet Town v Murch-Toolamba

Sunday, April 21

Stanhope v Girgarre

ROUND 3

Saturday, April 27

Avenel v Tallygaroopna

Dookie United v Stanhope

Girgarre v Shepp East

Lancaster v Rushworth

Sunday, April 28

Merrigum v Murch-Toolamba

ROUND 4 (SPLIT ROUND)

Saturday, May 4

Rushworth v Girgarre

Violet Town v Merrigum

Tallygaroopna v Undera

Sunday, May 5

Shepp East v Dookie United

Nagambie v Lancaster

Saturday, May 11

Stanhope v Avenel

Murch-Toolamba v Longwood

ROUND 5

Saturday, May 18

Avenel v Shepp East

Girgarre v Nagambie

Lancaster v Murch-Toolamba

Longwood v Merrigum

Tallygaroopna v Violet Town

ROUND 5 (CONTINUED)

Sunday, May 19

Dookie United v Rushworth

Undera v Stanhope

ROUND 6

Saturday, May 25

Rushworth v Avenel

Nagambie v Dookie United

Murch-Toolamba v Girgarre

Merrigum v Lancaster

Shepp East v Undera

Stanhope v Tallygaroopna

Sunday, May 26

Violet Town v Longwood

ROUND 7

Saturday, June 1

Avenel v Nagambie

Dookie United v Murch-Toolamba

Lancaster v Longwood

Undera v Rushworth

Stanhope v Violet Town

Sunday, June 2

Girgarre v Merrigum

Tallygaroopna v Shepp East

GENERAL BYE | JUNE 8

King’s Birthday

ROUND 8

Saturday, June 15

Murch-Toolamba v Avenel

Merrigum v Dookie United

Longwood v Girgarre

Violet Town v Lancaster

Nagambie v Undera

Shepp East v Stanhope

Sunday, June 16

Rushworth v Tallygaroopna

ROUND 9

Saturday, June 22

Avenel v Merrigum

Dookie United v Longwood

Undera v Murch-Toolamba

Tallygaroopna v Nagambie

Stanhope v Rushworth

Shepp East v Violet Town

ROUND 10

Saturday, June 29

Lancaster v Dookie United

Violet Town v Girgarre

Merrigum v Undera

Murch-Toolamba v Tallygaroopna

Nagambie v Stanhope

Rushworth v Shepp East

Sunday, June 30

Longwood v Avenel

GENERAL BYE | JULY 6

ROUND 11

Saturday, July 13

Avenel v Lancaster

Dookie United v Girgarre

Undera v Longwood

Tallygaroopna v Merrigum

Stanhope v Murch-Toolamba

Shepp East v Nagambie

ROUND 12

Saturday, July 20

Girgarre v Avenel

Violet Town v Dookie United

Longwood v Tallygaroopna

Merrigum v Stanhope

Murch-Toolamba v Shepp East

Nagambie v Rushworth

Sunday, July 21

Lancaster v Undera

ROUND 13

Saturday, July 27

Avenel v Dookie United

Undera v Girgarre

Tallygaroopona v Lancaster

Stanhope v Longwood

Shepp East v Merrigum

Rushworth v Murch-Toolamba

Nagambie v Violet Town

ROUND 14

Saturday, August 3

Merrigum v Avenel

Violet Town v Tallygaroopna

Dookie United v Shepp East

Girgarre v Rushworth

Lancaster v Nagambie

Longwood v Undera

Murch-Toolamba v Stanhope

ROUND 15

Saturday, August 10

Violet Town v Avenel

Undera v Dookie United

Tallygaroopna v Girgarre

Stanhope v Lancaster

Longwood v Shepp East

Rushworth v Merrigum

Nagambie v Murch-Toolamba

ROUND 16

Saturday, August 17

Avenel v Undera

Dookie United v Tallygaroopna

Murch-Toolamba v Violet Town

Merrigum v Nagambie

Lancaster v Shepp East

Girgarre v Stanhope

Longwood v Rushworth

FINALS

Elimination Finals: August 24–25

Semi Finals: August 31 & September 1

Preliminary Final: September 7

Grand Final: September 14

PREMIER 2023

FU STEAM AHEAD FOR THE PICOLA DISTRICT LEAGUE IN 2023

One major shift rocked the Picola District Football Netball League landscape over the o -season — Tocumwal is back.

After a year in the Murray League the Bloods are back, opening with a Good Friday clash against Berrigan to kick o the new season.

Football-wise, Waaia is the tearaway favourite once more after claiming back to back senior premierships, while Deniliquin Rovers has its A-grade netball title to defend from a string of worthy candidates.

Big things await in the PDFNL this season.

PEARCE MEDA ISTS

2023: Jake Ellery (Strathmerton)

2022: Ash Holland (Waaia)

2021: Chris Marshall (Jerildeire)

2019: John Woodcock (Katamatite)

2018: Ash Thompson (Waaia) and Mark Ryan (Picola United)

2017 NW: Jed Brain (Blighty)

2017 SE: Bodhi Butts (Tungamah)

2016 NW: Andrew May (Deni Rovers) and Dave Daniel (Picola United)

2016 SE: Matt Rendina (Shepparton East), Eamon Reeves (Katunga) and Matt McCarty (Waaia)

2015 NW: Paul Massingham (Berrigan)

2015 SE: Matt McCarty (Waaia) and Nick Doyle (Tungamah)

LA ER PREDICTIONS:

FOOTBALL

1: Waaia

2: Strathmerton

3: Tungamah

4: Katandra

5: Katunga

6: Katamatite

7: Picola United

8: Deniliquin Rovers

9: Jerilderie

10: Tocumwal

11: Mathoura

12: Rennie

13: Yarroweyah

14: Berrigan

15: Blighty

PAST PREMIERS

2023: Football: Waaia

1: Katandra

2: Deniliquin Rovers

3: Strathmerton

4: Waaia

5: Tungamah

6: Katunga

7: Rennie

8: Picola United

9: Jerilderie

10: Katamatite

11: Mathoura

12: Yarroweyah

13: Tocumwal

14: Berrigan

15: Blighty

Netball: Deniliquin Rovers

2022: Football: Waaia

Netball: Tungamah

2019: Football: Strathmerton Netball: Strathmerton

2018: Football: Rennie

Netball: Deniliquin

2017 NW: Picola United and Tocumwal

2017 SE: Rennie and Katunga

2016 NW: Picola United and Tocumwal

2016 SE: Shepparton East and Katunga

2015 NW: Strathmerton and Tocumwal

2015 SE: Tungamah and Katunga

Bomber brigade: Waaia’s senior flag winning side from last season.

Deni delight: Deniliquin Rovers scored the A-grade premiership in 2023.

A TUMULTUOUS ERA GIVES WAY TO A FRESH START FOR PICOLA F TBA

It has perhaps not been an easy job leading the Picola District Football League across the past handful of seasons.

The pandemic-enforced challenges that plagued all levels of sport subsided, only to be replaced with the headaches of a messy saga involving Tocumwal’s status within the league.

Entering 2024, though, the Picola league heads into a new era with far fewer o -field distractions.

Tocumwal’s return does mean an odd-numbered competition once again, but the Bloods will get a jump start on the league by hosting a Good Friday season opener against Berrigan. Mathoura and Picola United complete the AFL-style truncated opening round the following day before the rest jump in from April 6.

Waaia would be heavily favoured in its quest for a premiership hat-trick, having converted its 2022 and 2023 season-best records into grand final successes.

That said, top ruck Ash Holland was one of many lured back into Shepparton’s minipremiership reunion, heading to the Bears for 2024.

Coach Mitch Cleeland is bullish about his club’s credentials with a three-peat on the table.

“We’re hoping that we’re much the same in terms of our personnel and it’s pretty constant for us,” Cleeland said.

“We’re hoping we’re ready for what’s to come, and we have no doubt we’re going in with a target on our backs.

“(Holland) will leave a hole and it’ll take some adjusting, but we’re confident guys can replace him in that capacity.

“We’re hoping we aren’t too reliant and that everyone can step up to play their part.”

Speaking of gold-plated homecomings, 2023 runners-up Strathmerton has pulled in a big fish of its own with former premiership skipper Matt O’Kane among the Bulldogs’ inclusions.

Sporting dominant PDL leading goalkicker Tim Looby among its ranks, new senior co-coach Nic Hoban believes his side has the injection of pace it lacked in 2023.

“Three of the four guys we brought in have previously played at Strathmerton, and they’re all ex-locals,” Hoban said.

“I think last year we were a bit slow at times, so to add a few quicker locals will add plenty to the side.

“The fact we haven’t lost anyone at all shows where the club is at; it’s a good place to be, and we’re all on the same page.”

There is certainly more turnover at Tungamah, which harbours aims of going a step beyond its preliminary final exit.

The disappointment of 2023, by the admission of coach Sean Johns, was largely selfinflicted—but the side has since corrected course.

“We sort of reaped what we sowed last year with our input

during pre-season. That wasn’t there, and it showed in finals,” Johns said.

“We had a chat about what we needed to address, and I think our o -field standards have really risen.

“Hopefully that can set us up for a good year, but the premiership is what we’re aiming for.

“We’re very happy with where we’re at, but now we just have to go and do the work on the field.”

Also falling a week short of the big dance was Katunga, which has been busier than many outfits since its preliminary final exit.

That change empowers new co-coach Nick Flanagan to believe his side is closing in on the upper crust.

“With guys like Nick Pirrie (Doutta Stars), Dan O’Loughlin

and Bailey Thomas (both Bentleigh) coming in at 25–26 years of age from a high level of footy, we think they’ll bring a fair bit to the team,” Flanagan said.

“I’ve got every confidence that there’s enough quality on the list to close the gap with Waaia and Strathmerton.

“There’s enough there, but it’s a matter of how much the guys want to apply themselves.“

Katandra is another finals side with acquisitions front of mind.

Despite losing 59-goal forward Luke Smith to Shepparton, Kats boss Jason Whittaker believes his side can achieve more in 2024.

“We’ve done a power of work, and we could have up to 11 senior players come into the side this year,” Whittaker said.

“We’ve got a game plan and a structure, plus the personnel,

to make us competitive against the top sides.

“The playing group has matured by 12 months since I arrived, and we’re confident we’ve got the capacity to take the extra one, two or three steps.”

Katamatite fi nished comfortably inside fi nals but o the pace; that said, coach James Hazelman is pleased to deal with much less turnover this year than last, though the loss of Will Gorman to Mulwala shapes up as a detriment.

“There hasn’t been a heap of movement, but we’ve had a couple of under-17 kids come up and stick around, which is great,” Hazelman said.

“This time 12 months ago, we’d lost 14 from the year before.

Waaia’s Aus Tricarico embraces treammates during 2023 final.

“I’d like to think that with a bit of luck and keeping everyone on the park, we could push a little bit further.”

Jerilderie did enough to earn knockout football in 2023, but has supplemented its list with two incomings from the Demons’ glory days of the mid-2010s.

The arrivals come in the form of 2012 and 2013 premiership players Lachlan Taylor-Nugent and Christopher Lockhart.

Jerilderie shared its 7–8 record with Deniliquin Rovers, but the latter may have some work ahead on the defensive end after ranking 11th for points conceded in spite of its eighthplaced finish.

Picola United also takes a generally similar core into 2024, looking to consolidate on a 6–9 record that, despite the lopsided ledger, also produced a percentage over 110.

Rennie has made a change at the top in pursuit of a more competitive year, appointing past premiership captain Jarryd Fountain to the top gig.

The Hoppers will surely rely on the recommitment of one of country football’s more renowned forward-50 forces in Chase Strawhorn.

Mathoura has work ahead after finishing two games adrift of Rennie despite nearidentical scoring figures, and the Timbercutters have turned to Bundoora small forward Riley Hillyear as one of a handful coming in.

Berrigan has reclaimed Matt Heazlewood from Geelong West after two seasons away from the Saints, picking up another western recruit in the process by signing Pascoe Vale forward Jordan Bird.

The move aims to address o ensive issues that saw Berrigan notch just over 40 points a game in 2023.

After just one win last year, Yarroweyah has taken an aggressive stance with its incomings, assembling a raft of signings with a focus on the Murray Football League.

Yarroweyah also regained 2022 Collingwood development squad member Chris White into its forward line for 2024.

As for Blighty, there is surely only one way to go after a miserable 0–15 campaign, and the Redeyes will need the likes of Dane Leyden, hailing from Echuca United in the Murray League, to galvanise the struggling outfi t.

Cut above: 2023 PDFL senior best and fairest Jake Ellery (right).

WHO WI TAKE OUT THE PDNL CROWN IN 2024?

The 2024 Picola District Netball League season is suddenly upon us.

And while it may feel like only yesterday that Deniliquin Rovers players were streaming onto the court, celebrating its 14-goal grand final victory over Katandra, nevertheless, the season has arrived, and it’s time to get excited.

Katandra will be seeking revenge for its grand final defeat, but the Kats will have to wait until round 18 to take on their Deniliquin rivals.

Coach Renee Morris said that the Kats will have to be stronger through the midcourt if they are to fight for a flag again.

“We would like to be more consistent across the board,” she said.

“We’ve got more depth this year, so more options to play with.”

“We just want to be a strong force throughout the league.”

Strathmerton were not far away from stealing Katandra’s spot in the grand final, as the Dogs lost to the Cats by two goals in the preliminary final.

This season, Dogs co-coach Olivia Osborne is determined to take her side to the promised land on the back of a fun and welcoming culture.

“The flag is the reason we play competitive sport,” she said.

“The two years I have coached, we have lost a grand final and a preliminary final, both by two goals, so the hunger is definitely there to win a flag.”

“I don’t think you win a flag if you’re not having fun.

“A big thing I will draw on again this year is to have fun because if we go out and have fun, then we are playing with a bunch of our friends. We will give ourselves the best chance to win a flag.”

Waaia will be looking to make a deeper charge into finals in 2024 after the Bombers lost in their semi-final against Katunga last season.

Bombers co-coach Kirsty Hommes believes the keys to premiership success lie in their o ence.

“We’ve gotta consolidate down our ‘goaling’ end,” she said.

“If we can get a nice solid shooter to partner with Rosie (Arnel), that would be fantastic.”

“If we can get that ‘goaling’ end going we will definitely be a team to be reckoned with.”

Another side that plans to push for finals with a fun and

inviting culture is Tungamah. The Bears were in contention for the top six last year before a poor finish to the season, losing three out of their last four games, left Tungamah just outside of finals.

This year, coach Keely Holcombe said her side will be hoping to be a nuisance to the league’s top sides, all the while with a smile on the Bears’ players’ faces.

“We have recruited two new goalers, which is good,” she said.

“We want to have a lot of fun this year and make it an enjoyable time for the (players).”

“Defi nitely (want to be) making fi nals and hopefully aiming for a top-six fi nish. There is a bit of a gap between the top and bottom tier in the Picola League, but hopefully, we can knock o some of the ones that fi nished higher last year.”

Katunga were the surprise packet of 2023 when they went on a run to the preliminary final before losing to eventual premiers Deniliquin. This year, Swans coach Aimee Sidebottom

Alana Owen

Olivia Osborne

said her team is unafraid to hide its ambition.

“The ultimate goal for the club is to take that next step,” she said.

“Every club has the ambition to play in a grand final and take home the ultimate prize, and at Katunga, we are no di erent.”

One of the sides the Swans defeated during their finals run was the Yarroweyah Hoppers.

The Hoppers finished the 2023 season in seventh position and will be hoping to make it at least a couple weeks deeper into finals after their elimination final exit last year.

Katamatite is looking to bounce back o the bottom of the ladder after a disappointing season where the Tigers only won one game and finished 13th.

Under new coach Alex Glowrey, last year’s premiers Deniliquin are a strong chance to push for back-to-back premierships.

The Rovers went undefeated last season before they cruised through the finals series with relative ease, winning their three matches (including the grand final) by an average margin of 13 goals.

Rennie will be hoping to make a bigger dent into finals in 2024 after the Hoppers went out in straight sets to Deniliquin and Strathmerton.

Rennie kicks o its PDNL season when it hosts Tungamah on April 6.

The Mathoura Timbercutters will look to once again push for finals after a poor finish to the year—they won one game from their last six matches—cost them a spot in finals.

Jerilderie coach Ella Arnold will be hoping her side can make a run up the ladder after the Demons finished last season with three wins from their last five games.

Last season, Berrigan finished one spot below the Demons in 11th place. The Saints want to improve on last year’s performance, where they won just four out of their 15 matches.

Annie Jorgensen is looking to steer Picola United in an upward trajectory as she takes the reigns for the upcoming season. United finished in 12th place last year with three wins.

Blighty will be hoping to break its duck in 2024 after not winning a game last season.

And last but not least, after plying its trade in the MNL, Tocumwal will be welcomed back into the PDNL when it takes on Berrigan in round 1 on Good Friday.

Jayanna Sharp and Chloe Eliott

Aimee Sidebottom

OROUND 1

ICIAL FIXTURE SEASON 2024

March 29 (Good Friday)

Tocumwal v Berrigan

March 30 (Easter Saturday)

Mathoura v Picola United

ROUND 2

April 6

Yarroweyah v Blighty

Katandra v Katamatite

Rennie v Tungamah

Katunga v Waaia

Tocumwal v Deni Rovers

Jerilderie v Strathmerton

Berrigan, Picola United & Mathoura bye

ROUND 3

April 13

Strathmerton v Katunga

Deni Rovers v Rennie

Waaia v Picola United

Tungamah v Katandra

Katamatite v Jerilderie

Berrigan v Yarroweyah

Blighty v Mathoura

Tocumwal bye

ROUND 4

April 20

Tungamah v Tocumwal

Yarroweyah v Deni Rovers

Picola United v Strathmerton

Katandra v Blighty

Katunga v Mathoura

Katamatite v Waaia

Rennie v Jerilderie

Berrigan bye

ROUND 5

April 27

Blighty v Katamatite

Rennie v Strathmerton

Jerilderie v Deni Rovers

Waaia v Tungamah

Berrigan v Katunga

Tocumwal v Katandra

Yarroweyah v Picola United

Deni Rovers bye

ROUND 6

May 4

Katunga v Jerilderie

Katandra v Rennie

Picola United v Katamatite

Mathoura v Yarroweyah

Blighty v Tocumwal

Strathmerton v Berrigan

Deni Rovers v Tungamah

Waaia bye

ROUND 7

May 11

Picola United v Katunga

Waaia v Yarroweyah

Tocumwal v Jerilderie

Rennie v Berrigan

Tungamah v Katamatite

Mathoura v Deni Rovers

Strathmerton v Blighty

Katandra bye

ROUND 8

May 18

Katandra v Waaia

Jerilderie v Picola United

Yarroweyah v Rennie

Katamatite v Tocumwal

Berrigan v Mathoura

Blighty v Tungamah

Deni Rovers v Strathmerton

Katunga bye

ROUND 9

May 25

Tungamah v Strathmerton

Berrigan v Blighty

Tocumwal v Mathoura

Katamatite v Yarroweyah

Picola United v Rennie

Katandra v Jerilderie

Waaia v Katunga

Deni Rovers bye

ROUND 10

June 1

Yarroweyah v Katandra

Katunga v Tocumwal

Berrigan v Waaia

Jerilderie v Tungamah

Rennie v Deni Rovers

Strathmerton v Katamatite

Mathoura v Blighty

Picola United bye

ROUND 11

June 8

Rennie v Mathoura

Jerilderie v Blighty

Deni Rovers v Katunga

Katandra v Tungamah

Picola United v Berrigan

Tocumwal v Yarroweyah

Katamatite bye

Sunday June 9

Waaia v Strathmerton

ROUND 12

June 15

Deni Rovers v Berrigan

Strathmerton v Tocumwal

Blighty v Yarroweyah

Picola United v Mathoura

Katamatite v Katandra

Katunga v Rennie

Waaia v Jerilderie

Tungamah bye

ROUND 13

June 22

Tocumwal v Picola United

Katandra v Berrigan

Tungamah v Katunga

Waaia v Deni Rovers

Strathmerton v Jerilderie

Rennie v Blighty

Mathoura v Katamatite

Yarroweyah bye

ROUND 14

June 29

Rennie v Waaia

Katmatite v Katunga

Mathoura v Katandra

Blighty v Picola United

Yarroweyah v Strathmerton

Deni Rovers v Tocumwal

Jerilderie bye

FINALS

GENERAL BYE

July 6

ROUND 15

July 13

Strathmerton v Mathoura

Katamatite v Deni Rovers

Tungamah v Rennie

Jerilderie v Berrigan

Waaia v Tocumwal

Katunga v Yarroweyah

Picola United v Katandra

Blighty bye

ROUND 16

July 20

Blighty v Deni Rovers

Mathoura v Tungamah

Berrigan v Katamatite

Tocumwal v Rennie

Yarroweyah v Jerilderie

Picola United v Waaia

Katandra v Katunga

Strathmerton bye

ROUND 17

July 27

Jerilderie v Katamatite

Mathoura v Waaia

Katunga v Blighty

Strathmerton v Katandra

Deni Rovers v Picola United

Tungamah v Yarroweyah

Berrigan v Tocumwal

Rennie bye

ROUND 18

August 3

Yarroweyah v Berrigan

Tungamah v Picola United

Deni Rovers v Katandra

Katunga v Strathmerton

Blighty v Waaia

Jerilderie v Mathoura

Katamatite v Rennie

Tocumwal bye

Elimination Finals: August 10

Qualifying Finals: August 17

Semi Finals: August 24

Preliminary Finals: August 31

Grand Final: September 7

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YOUTH GIRLS

Can the Shepparton Swans be knocked o their perch after securing back-to-back premierships?

Moama Junior Football Club came close to spoiling their sequential storybook ending, gripping tooth and nail, alas, unable to show their claws on the scoreboard in the past two grand finals.

But the remaining four contenders aren’t to be discounted in the 2024 season either.

Echuca United, Shepparton United, Nathalia, and the injection of debut club, Barooga, have put in the legwork during a critical pre-season.

And now all teams are ready to ru e some feathers and reap the rewards.

But it won’t come easy.

The slew of talent out of the youth pool is impeccable—Jerrah Caruso, Shaleah Cooper and Holly Egan, to name a few—will fire up the competition, setting the oval alight with every stride, bounce and kick.

So much so that these young guns were on the fast track to being listed alongside some of the pros like Grace Egan and Keeley Skepper in the Youth Girls team of the decade.

GOULBURN MU AY JUNIOR LEAGUE

The Goulburn Murray Junior League is back and healthier than ever in 2024.

With approximately 130 teams set to participate across more than a dozen age and geographical divisions, numbers up and down the board are highly encouraging.

For the second year in a row, under-14 and under-16 sides will undergo four ‘grading rounds’ before the league assigns them into divisions to prioritise competitive balance and engagement.

AFL Goulburn Murray’s Emma O’Shaughnessy is excited to ring in another season of junior football in the region.

“We have a lot of new teams, particularly in the under-12s with a few KDL clubs,” O’Shaughnessy said.

“We’ve looked at hosting games through central venue hubs to create a finals-type atmosphere.

“We’ll have three or four games on at a venue to give clubs an excellent opportunity to get some canteen money o the bat.

“We’ve got teams from Leitchville all the way to Alexandra, and we want to ensure teams have competitive opportunities.

“Things are looking quite positive; it gives the kids a clearer pathway through to under-15 and under-18 footy at their clubs.

“There’s nothing better than seeing the kids’ faces light up on a Saturday or a Sunday morning.”

The 2024 season kicks o on the weekend of April 13–14.

“The Youth Girls celebrated its 10th Anniversary last year,” AFL Goulburn Murray’s head of operations Jo Spencer said.

“From that, we have named a team of the decade, which includes several

players from the competition who are now playing at the elite level.

“That highlights the wonderful foundation that our competition provides to players and the pathways to the elite level.”

With many league players announced in the Bendigo Pioneers and Murray Bushrangers squads, there’s no shortage of gunslingers and bastions, and no telling what could happen this season.

Shepparton Swans’ Youth Girls 2023 premiership winners.

2023 under-16 division one premier Mooroopna.

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