Heading into season 2022 there is one question on every Murray Football Netball League fan’s lips.
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Can anyone beat Tongala?
After romping their way through the 2021 home and away season with a perfect 13-0 record, COVID-19 denied the Blues a chance to atone for their defeat in the 2019 decider and claim that elusive maiden Murray league crown.
But with star recruits Brock McLean and Ryan Nyhuis on board for 2022, Tongala presents as even more of a force than last year, a proposition that will rightfully frighten the remainder of the competition.
But football isn’t a game played on paper, with a worthy list of contenders set to clip at the Blues’ heels.
Mulwala has stocked up on its quality list and is ready to strike, adding the likes of Matt Gorman, Jamie Smith and Josh Tonna to a line-up that already features the deadly midfield duo of Jackson Gash and Bodhi Butts.
After consolidating on its rapid rise up the ladder in 2019, Congupna has an opportunity to stamp itself as a force with a young group ready to take the next step, while Rumbalara will without doubt thrill crowds with its exciting game plan and attacking flair.
Numurkah will be excited to roll out its new-look squad, with the addition of Jamason Daniels, Charlie Hill and Morrie Serra — and the return of Braydon Sutton — sure to shoot the Blues back towards finals contention.
And then there is five-time reigning premier Nathalia, which won’t be giving up its crown without a fight.
On the court the competition will be as tight as ever, with a number of teams capable of pushing for premiership glory.
Nathalia rocketed up the table last year and, with Emma McDonald back at the helm, the Purples look primed towards another premiership tilt.
Perennial powerhouse Rumbalara and an ultra-talented Deniliquin squad will once again be among the contenders, while 2019 premier Echuca United will be hoping to bounce back from an indifferent campaign last year.
MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE PAST 10 PREMIERS:
2019: Nathalia
2018: Nathalia
2017: Nathalia
2016: Nathalia
2015: Nathalia
2014: Rumbalara
2013: Echuca United
2012: Nathalia
2011: Deniliquin
2010: Moama
MURRAY NETBALL LEAGUE PAST 10 PREMIERS
2019: Echuca United
2018: Moama
2017: Moama
2016: Echuca United
2015: Echuca United
2014: Numurkah
2013: Mulwala
2012: Finley
2011: Mulwala
2010: Numurkah
PAST O’DWYER MEDALLISTS
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)
2012: Rowan Priest (Echuca United)
2011: Ryan Bongetti (Cobram)
PAST A-GRADE BEST-AND-FAIRESTS
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)
2012: Renee Judd (Numurkah)
2011: Rebecca White (Deniliquin)
LADDER PREDICTION — FOOTBALL
1 Tongala
2 Mulwala
3 Nathalia
4 Congupna
5 Cobram
6 Numurkah
7 Rumbalara
8 Moama
9 Deniliquin
10 Barooga
11 Finley
12 Echuca United
LADDER PREDICTION — NETBALL
1 Rumbalara
2 Nathalia
3 Deniliquin
4 Moama
5 Tongala
6 Numurkah
7 Echuca United
8 Congupna
9 Finley
10 Mulwala
11 Barooga
12 Cobram
MMG sports reporter