Fans had to wait after the other three AFL Goulburn Murray competitions - the Goulburn Valley League, Murray Football Netball League and Kyabram District League - all released their schedules prior to Christmas.
Following a controversial return to the Picola frame, Tocumwal brings the league back to a 15-team setup with a weekly bye.
The Bloods have even received a stand alone season opener at home, taking on Berrigan in a Good Friday contest.
However, Tocumwal’s season will close earlier than anyone via a final-round bye unless a finals berth is locked in.
Mathoura and Picola United take centre stage on Easter Saturday to wrap up an AFL-like truncated opening round, with all four competing teams receiving byes over the following fortnight.
They are the only two games to be played at Easter, with the rest of the sides starting their campaign on April 6.
In round two Tocumwal will host the Deniliquin Rovers, Jerilderie will host Strathmerton and Berrigan will have the bye.
Berrigan launch their season with a round three clash against Yarroweyah.
Round 11 will feature a big-time senior football grand final rematch when Waaia and Strathmerton collide with clear air in the regular season’s only Sunday affair on June 9.
The Bombers will wait until round three at home to Picola United to unfurl the premiership flag, first opening their campaign at Katunga Recreation Reserve.
Over on the courts, Deniliquin Rovers will once again seek to assert total supremacy after a perfect 2023 A-grade premiership run.
Having knocked off Katandra on the final day to claim the title, the Rovers and Kats will bide their time ahead of a main event encounter in the 18th and final round of regular season play on August 3.
Some quirks are notable within the schedule, such as Berrigan receiving two byes in the first four weekends off the back of the Saints’ season opener with Tocumwal.
The Picola league’s signature five-week finals format is in effect again. Saturday and Sunday elimination finals are held in standalone timeslots on August 10-11 before qualifying finals follow suit on August 17-18.
As is the standard format, the Picola league will be the first of AFL Goulburn Murray’s four competitions to wrap up its season, with 2024’s finale set for Rennie on Saturday, September 7.
25°C