Moama and Tongala will battle with their seasons on the line at Congupna on Sunday. Photos: Jordan Townrow
The time when champions are made has arrived.
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Every local football netball league is now in or entering its finals series after the Goulburn Valley and Murray leagues wrapped up their home and away seasons at the weekend.
Four major local hopes remain in the leagues’ top grades: Echuca seniors, Moama seniors and A-grade and Tongala A-grade.
GVL
Echuca faces an unfamiliar path to the title from fourth position.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
In the GVL, it hasn’t been the dominant showing of years past for Echuca, but the Murray Bombers are still well within the hunt for a mind-boggling fourth straight premiership.
The Murray Bombers have suffered four defeats in 2025, as many as in their past three premiership years combined, and finished the year in fourth.
In contrast to their title wins, Echuca will have to take the long road if it wishes to defend its crown, beginning with an elimination final against Shepparton Swans at Tatura Park on Saturday.
The two sides have met only once previously this year, Echuca holding the Swans goalless in the first half to score a 7.8 (50) to 4.9 (33) victory on May 31.
One of the league’s big improvers this season, the Swans have claimed some significant scalps this season, including Rochester earlier in the year, and dominant leader Kyabram last week.
The game will start at 2.30pm.
Murray league
Moama will need a perfect run as it hopes to improve on its streak of three consecutive preliminary finals.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
In the Murray league, after three straight years taking the hard road to the preliminary final, Moama was a point away from securing an easier path.
A mainstay of the top two for most of the year, the Magpies’ one-point defeat to Numurkah cost them the spot on percentage.
Steeling itself for another finals grind, Moama now faces a rematch with the side that put it in this situation, taking on the Blues at Hardinge Street Oval at Deniliquin on Saturday.
The two sides have been evenly matched throughout the year, a previous meeting on May 24 ending in an eight-point Moama win.
The game is scheduled for 2.10pm.
A day later, local netballers will have their turn in the spotlight as Moama and Tongala clash at Memorial Park, Congupna, on Sunday.
It's anyone’s guess who will progress in a rematch of the 2024 preliminary final.
Moama got the finals win 12 months ago by two goals, and picked up a more convincing victory by 14 against an understrength Blues on May 3.
However, Tongala has the most recent edge, scoring its own two-goal win on August 2.
The game starts at 1.30pm.
PDFNL/HDFNL
In the Picola District league, action shifts to Jerilderie on Saturday and Tungamah on Sunday.
Although Picola United and Mathoura’s representation has ended in the top grades, the Blues’ C-reserve netballers and the Timbercutters’ 15-and-under will fly the flag for their clubs at Jerilderie.
Similarly, Lockington-Bamawm United and Leitchville-Gunbower have departed the top-level title races in the Heathcote District league.
Qualifying finals will be played at Colbinabbin on Saturday, while elimination finals will be held at Lockington on Sunday.
L-G’s 17- and 13-and under netballers are still fighting in their divisions, as are LBU’s reserves and thirds football sides and B-grade, 15- and 13-and-under netballers.
Around the grounds
The Echuca-Moama River Rats get the GVHA post-season under way this weekend.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
In Goulburn Valley Hockey Association, semi-finals begin at Shepparton Regional Hockey Complex on Saturday.
Echuca-Moama’s two women’s sides are set to battle it out in a semi-final, while the A- and B-grade men’s sides will also be seeking grand final berths.
The women’s game will be held at 2pm, B-grade at 3.30pm, and A-grade at 5pm.
The Bendigo Amateur Soccer League is also fast approaching finals.
While many divisions are completing catch-up fixtures, Border Raiders FC has one regular-season game remaining in men’s League 2.
The Border Raiders will welcome league leader Spring Gully to Jack Eddy Oval, Moama on Sunday for a final hit-out before finals, kick off at 2pm.
The Goulburn Murray Junior League finals are well under way, with preliminary finals to be held this weekend.
All local hopes will be in action at Tongala Recreation Reserve on Sunday, Echuca taking on Kyabram in under-14 div one at 10am, Tongala battling Mooroopna in under-16 div two at 11.30am, and Echuca Bombers facing Echuca Murray Bombers from 1.30pm.
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