Sport

The McMahon Shield makes its return for 2026

By Oliver Shedden

Jan 6, 2026

Moama captain Joel Murphy will look to lead his side to a drought-breaking McMahon Shield title in the second half of the 2025-26 season.

Following the end-of-year break, Saturday, January 10 will be the resumption of Goulburn Murray Cricket’s 2025-26 McMahon Shield season, with plenty of action ahead in round 12.

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With seven rounds remaining in the season there is still plenty to play for, with a tight race to lock up finals positions.

Moama is yet to drop a game this season, ringing in the new year with a perfect 10-0 record.

The Mowers will resume their campaign on Saturday against a sturdy Kyabram Fire Brigade, which is currently the best of the rest and sits in fourth (5-4).

If things stay as they are the rest of the way, this will serve as a preview of a semi-final, as the Flames will look to do the seemingly impossible and upset the prohibitive title favourites at Moama Recreation Reserve.

After winning four McMahon Shield titles in as many years, Echuca has dropped off this season, sitting in sixth position with a record of 4-6, and will look to make amends in the back half to sneak into the finals.

However, the green machine’s second period of the season will get off to a difficult start, facing a reinvigorated Bamawm-Lockington United contingent that sits in second (7-2) and looks a genuine threat to win it all.

With its home of Victoria Park still off limits due to ongoing renovations, Echuca will host the Lions at its surrogate home of Moon Oval, Rochester, on Saturday.

Echuca South is half-a-game back from BLU in third (7-3) and looks to be the main competitor for the second seed with the Lions, as there is a significant drop-off in record for fourth place.

The Swans will have a prime opportunity to begin the back half of the season on a strong note, coming up against Leitchville-Gunbower at Gunbower Recreation Reserve in round 12.

Barring a miraculous turn of events, L-G looks all but out of the running for finals, sitting in seventh with three wins to its name.

To round out Saturday, Rochester will have a strong chance to push itself back into the top four after a lukewarm first half of the season, currently in fifth place (5-5).

Rochy will travel to Tongala Recreation Reserve to battle downtrodden Tonny, which is a step above the wooden spoon in eighth and on the same tier as L-G (3-7).

Cellar dweller Nondies-Cohuna will have the bye in round 12 before resuming in round 13 at home against Echuca South.

All round 12 games are scheduled for an 11am start.