Picola United begins its year against Katunga on Saturday.
After a blockbuster Easter long weekend even more football and netball is coming our way this Saturday, as Picola District Football Netball League gets going in earnest.
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Barooga and Tocumwal provided a prelude to the new season on Good Friday, the league newcomer Hawks getting off to a flyer in the senior football, while the Bloods drew first blood in the A-grade netball.
Now Picola United and Mathoura will be among the remaining 14 sides in their first action of the season this Saturday.
Of the four top grade teams between the two clubs, only Picola United’s seniors (10-6) featured in the finals in 2025, eliminated in identical circumstances as in 2024, at the hands of Tungamah in the first round of finals.
Coach Rhys Woodland has stepped away from the role, with the club’s last premiership boss Jon Varcoe taking the reins to try and bring the Blues to the next level.
There were some significant departures from the side during the off-season, including 50-goal forward Cody Haub and league Rising Star winner Matthew Jorgensen, but Varcoe has attracted upwards of a dozen players to Picola Recreation Reserve to bolster the ranks.
“We’ve been a mid-table team for a period of time, so our aim is to push higher up the ladder,” Varcoe said.
“If we can have a successful and fun year, retain all our players and continue to build, that will be a success.”
Mathoura will battle Deniliquin Rovers in the opening round.
On the netball side, the Blues finished last year in 12th with a 4-12 record, but have maintained the majority of their list under new player-coach Emma Greaves.
A year of building connections should serve her side well as it looks to make a step up this year.
“We want to be more competitive than the previous few years and definitely making finals is top of the list for us,” Greaves said.
Picola United travels to Katunga in the opening round.
Mathoura’s senior football side struggled to compete for much of 2025, the club losing about a dozen first team players in the off-season and embarking on a rebuild effort.
Adam Bourke’s squad went winless, but saw improvement later in the year, putting on its best four offensive performances over the last seven games.
Now he hopes off-season recruitment and a year of development for the squad will bring about better things in 2026.
“We’re trying to build a sustainable club and a competitive club,” Bourke said.
“What success looks like is being more competitive and winning those games of football.”
Mathoura’s A-graders were also unable to make an impact last season, picking up only two wins.
With many players returning and experienced coach Sharon Moon taking the reins, the Timbercutters will be hoping to improve year on year.
“We want to build on the squad’s skills and create a positive environment for them to excel at their best,” Moon said.
“We want them to enjoy their netball and improve within themselves as well as within a team.”
Mathoura begins its campaign visiting Deniliquin Rovers in round one.
Around the league, Blighty is at Jerilderie, Dookie United visits Katandra, Berrigan is on the road at Rennie, Waaia takes a trip to Strathmerton and Katamatite is away to Tungamah.
PDFNL A-grade contests are set to start at 1.30pm, with senior football starting from 2.05pm.
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