Yarroweyah has gone on hiatus for 2025, while Dookie United will join the league, keeping the competition at 15 sides.
“Dookie’s been in our competition before and we’ve just found them seamlessly transitioning really easily,” league operations manager Shane Railton said.
“We've had clubs transitioning to our league almost every year for each of the last three or four years, (so) we're a little accustomed to change and we work with the clubs and have them seamlessly transition into our competition, and it's been no different this year with Dookie.
“They seem pretty well prepared and ready to go.”
The league has put a focus on local rivalries this season, with geographical rivals, like Picola and Mathoura, matching up twice over the course of the season.
Teams have been working hard in the off-season to strengthen their squads and Railton thinks the overall quality of the league will benefit from their efforts.
“Our clubs that were up there seemingly improved a little and even the clubs that are likely to challenge seem to have improved a lot,” he said.
“I think that we'll probably tighten up a little bit, but I think the whole standard of the comp will improve.”
The league gets under way on April 5, with Dookie hosting 2024 grand finalist Katandra.
Reigning premier Waaia will host Strathmerton, Katamatite will make the trip to Tungamah, while Katunga will make the journey to play Picola United.
League finals are scheduled to begin on August 16 and 17 and the grand final is marked down for September 13.
For more on each PDFNL club ahead of the 2025 campaign, check out this year’s Football-Netball Magazine. If you missed a hard copy, call the Shepparton News office on 5820 3107 or download the Shepparton News app, head to the print editions tab and scroll down.
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