The 11-team division gets stuck in with a big slate of fixtures this Sunday, but there is some housekeeping to get into first.
The defending premier from the 2023-24 season does not exist in the same form ahead of 2024-25 — if you want to be technical — as Echuca White and champion Echuca Green consolidate under one banner this time around.
Of course, Echuca will rightfully claim the title anyway as its two previous squads unite and, in turn, Moama Cricket Club enters a side for the first time.
Lurking immediately beneath the surface will be runner-up Mooroopna, one of two local hopes, which qualified for the grand final undefeated following a brilliant debut campaign led by Lauren Hall.
It all fell down at the last hurdle as the Cats’ sole blemish was the one above all with Echuca Green prevailing in a scorcher at Tongala, but Mooroopna is expecting this year’s squad to closely resemble that from its first foray in the league.
Hall is confident in more of the same as the new season arrives, the cub having retained its youthful core.
“The same group of girls are coming along for the ride and it’s great to see,” Hall said.
“It’s great to see another team come on board with Moama as well.
“We’ve still got a lot of young girls in the side, which is a positive in building their cricket skills up from a young age.
“(Moama) gives more of an opportunity for girls in New South Wales to have a team in our league; I’m guessing it will be mainly similar women from them and Echuca this season.
“Echuca on its own is a strong side and has been for quite a while.”
Indeed, a consolidated Echuca will remain the benchmark after firing up when all the chips were down to deny the Cats at the last hurdle.
The Cats’ focus is primarily on putting themselves in the best stead to return to the big dance, though, rather than casting eyes elsewhere.
“We were undefeated all season and then came unstuck in that last game, but I’m hoping to do something similar this season,” Hall said.
“We’ll be looking to come in hot and show off some good, solid performances.
“I’ve been in touch with the girls during the break and they’re pretty keen to get back, which is a positive.”
Also flying the area’s flag will be Shepparton Youth Club United, which met a preliminary final exit last season after consecutive defeats on a truly sweltering Sunday at Nathalia.
A promising campaign under the leadership of Mel Saunders and Lia Beecroft fell one difficult day short of a decider, but the personnel will be there for another deep run in contention.
As for the weekend itself, the Cats and the Combine will take to Shepparton’s Vibert Reserve to open their respective accounts — but not against one another.
Mooroopna will meet Kyabram Sunday morning, in lock-step with their men’s counterparts in the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield this weekend, on the neutral territory of Vibert’s main oval before United tangles with Nagambie an hour later on the secondary pitch.
It shapes as an important Sunday for female cricket in the area with a gala day set for that morning at Vibert Reserve prior to both games, where juniors are invited to come and try a skills session.
Around the rest of round one’s festivities, the unified Echuca outfit travels to face Katamatite, Rochester hosts Bamawm-Lockington United and Cooma welcomes Nathalia to town, while newcomer Moama has the bye and will wait an extra week to get on the board.
