Sport
New finals system has anticipation sky-high ahead of 2022 Kyabram District League season
Kyabram District League is undoubtedly entering one of its most promising years in recent memory.
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In the off-season the league opted to adopt a top eight finals system, up from its usual six sides, with finals now set to run across five weeks.
And it’s come at a time when the league is on the cusp of a bonanza year, on the field and court.
In the senior football, the competition has been fiercely competitive for the past few years.
Avenel, Stanhope, Lancaster, Nagambie, Murchison-Toolamba and Merrigum occupied the top six last season, however, Violet Town, Dookie United and Shepparton East threatened to play finals.
Expect Avenel to once again be a force in the competition, with Kasey Duncan to lead his side for another campaign.
Mark Patten and Denis Grinter have assembled a strong outfit at Stanhope, as well as Murchison-Toolamba mentor Nick Iorriani, with the Hoppers to be a serious threat.
You can always count on Nagambie playing finals football, with the September specialists certain to contend come later this year.
Lancaster has lost some of its elite talent to Kyabram, but with a side boasting reigning McNamara medallist Tom Davies, the Wombats should still be thereabouts.
Shepparton East has welcomed back a plethora of past premiership winners and will rise up the ladder, along with Dookie United — with the Thunder stocking up on plenty of Goulburn Valley League talent.
Merrigum and Violet Town will no doubt surprise a few and play finals, while Rushworth could shock some opponents after a strong off-season.
In the netball ranks it’s much the same, with two outfits looming as the ones to beat.
Tallygaroopna secured the minor premiership in 2021 and Fiona Down is back again to steer the talented outfit towards finals glory.
Shepparton East looks like Tally’s closest rival, with the Eagles primed for an assault on the flag.
Girgarre is set to fall away from those two opponents, with retirees and player movement leaving the Roos with three regulars from last year’s squad.
Merrigum boasts a class outfit and no doubt the Bulldogs will be knocking on the door, along with powerhouse Nagambie.
But despite the excitement of what supporters and players are to witness this winter, the sudden announcement earlier this month that Ardmona would enter recess for the 2022 campaign has left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth.
Not witnessing the Bush Cats in action this year is a cold reality of how difficult clubs have experienced life since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fingers crossed Ardmona’s absence is a short one.
The fall out of Ardmona’s decision will result in the fixture changing in the lead-up to the season.
Lastly, players and volunteers will need to remember to set the alarms on Sunday morning.
Matches will be contested on a Sunday to help combat umpire shortages.
KYABRAM DISTRICT LEAGUE PAST PREMIERS:
2019: Nagambie (football) and Stanhope (netball)
2018: Tallygaroopna and Nagambie
2017: Nagambie and Nagambie
2016: Nagambie and Avenel
2015: Merrigum and Nagambie
2014: Nagambie and Lancaster
2013: Murchison and Rushworth
2012: Violet Town and Nagambie
2011: Lancaster and Stanhope
2010: Nagambie and Lancaster
PAST McNAMARA MEDALLISTS
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)
2012: Russell Lee (Violet Town)
2011: Steve Thomson (Lancaster)
PAST WARREN MEDALLISTS
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)
2012: Gemma Barry (Nagambie)
2011: Michelle Hill (Lancaster)
LADDER PREDICTION
FOOTBALL
1 Avenel
2 Stanhope
3 Murchison-Toolamba
4 Nagambie
5 Lancaster
6 Shepparton East
7 Dookie United
8 Merrigum
9 Violet Town
10 Girgarre
11 Undera
12 Rushworth
13 Tallygaroopna
14 Longwood
NETBALL
1 Tallygaroopna
2 Shepparton East
3 Nagambie
4 Merrigum
5 Murchison-Toolamba
6 Girgarre
7 Dookie United
8 Stanhope
9 Violet Town
10 Avenel
11 Lancaster
12 Rushworth
13 Longwood
14 Undera
Sports Editor