Following the Goulburn Valley League taking a surprising step in releasing first out of the region’s four competitions, the Murray Football Netball League has now unveiled its official fixture.
It was an excellent 2024 season for the Shepparton-area outfits doing battle in the Murray, with Congupna snapping a 31-year senior premiership drought in memorable circumstances while Rumbalara claimed A-grade glory for the first time since 2008.
Those two names will be well-acquainted before long, with the sides drawn against one another as part of opening weekend across Saturday, April 5.
The Road flew high all season long as Ben Bingham led his side to the promised land, and in attempting to return at the first time of asking, will need to knock over Rumba in Shepparton North before meeting their foes from Finley in a rematch of that epic decider the following week.
Sure enough, Rumbalara and Moama will clash that same day in round two as the Magpies seek to avenge their grand final heartbreak at the venue where Jess Bamblett’s side prevailed in the big dance.
Mulwala hosts Numurkah in round one and the Cats take on Cobram in other first-up matches between sides with finals aspirations.
Good Friday football returns in full force, with a full slate of games headlined by the two most distant outfits colliding under lights as Finley welcomes the Deniliquin Rams before the fixtures are played in reverse on the King’s Birthday weekend.
Nathalia and Numurkah once again have the chance to renew hostilities in a standalone Sunday affair, with the Purples taking hosting duties.
Rounds six and 16 will see games split over two weekends, the former playing on May 10 and 17 while the latter drops across August 2 and 9, with a school holiday general bye the weekend of July 5.
Finals kick off with the two sudden-death games on Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31 as we work our way to the decider, again set for Moama Recreation Reserve on Saturday, September 20.
League general manager Dale Norman touched on the action-packed draw, noting the equity of home game allocation during the opening stretch.
“You try and give each club two home games in the first month to maximise revenue,” Norman said.
“In round two, it’ll draw excitement and draw attention to the league, and will be a bittersweet moment for all four clubs involved (in the grand final rematches).
“I think nine or 10 clubs could win it on the football front as Congupna just scraped over the line, but Rumba has been dominant in the netball.
“They’ll be challenged by sides like Moama, and I think we’ll see improvement from teams like Finley and Numurkah.”
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