On the cover: Look out for the annual magazine tomorrow.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Pop the champagne, the McPherson Media Group’s annual Football and Netball Magazine turns 18 this year.
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In many ways, the format has come a long way since it debuted in 2005.
Initially a 48-page football product, the mag now encompasses football and netball content from more than 60 clubs in the region, as well as district and representative junior leagues, masters football and the umpiring fraternity.
It is also 80 pages long and still bursting at the seams.
But in key areas, the essence and aim of this edition remains the same as it did all those years ago.
To pack as much information — as well as a few pie-in-the-sky predictions — into the one publication as possible, giving you a veritable bible of previews to not only consume now, but to also look back on throughout the season.
Back where it all began: Football 2005 was the start of the MMG Football Netball Magazine era.
I feel like a broken record when I say that football and netball players, fans and officials are champing at the bit to get out there and get the campaign started after a rough few years — but it is true.
There always seems to be late-breaking news as magazine deadline approaches, and this year was no different with the news that Ardmona would be heading into recess for 2022.
But hopes are high for full seasons out on the fields and courts of the Goulburn Valley League, Kyabram District League, Murray Football Netball League, Picola District Football Netball League and Goulburn Murray Junior Football League — the new name for the Goulburn Campaspe, Seymour District and Shepparton District junior football leagues — while the Northern Country Women’s League was lucky enough to crown a champion team in 2021 and will look to do so again, with the addition of the youth girls competition to its umbrella.
The Shepparton Netball Association action is set to excite once more, but as with all clubs and leagues more volunteers are needed to help facilitate the program.
Goulburn Valley Giants are keen for another season on the park, and at the other end of their careers the AFL and NAB League exports we follow so closely each week are as well.
And it all would not be possible without the hard work of the umpires of the region at every level.
On that note, this publication would not be possible without the efforts of the journalists, photographers, sub-editors and creative and advertising designers who have once again all pitched in to make it happen.
You haven’t heard my dulcet tones in your voicemail this summer, chasing you for all of the latest recruiting news, because I’ve moved across to Shepparton News editor since our last edition.
Senior sports journalist Aydin Payne has steered the ship expertly, while fresh faces Zac Standish, James Kleeman and Daniel Webb make up the rest of the Shepparton sports team.
In Echuca, Josh Huntly and Bransen Gibson will be your experts on all things along the Murray — while as always, Gus Underwood’s byline fills the Kyabram Free Press sports section.
Collectively we’ll bring you all of the news, reviews, previews, newsletters, podcasts and live coverage you can consume — and hopefully more — across the season.
But before it all begins, make sure you read this publication from front to back to be in the know for the campaign ahead.
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