Football and netball fans along the river rejoice, your guide to 2024 action is available now.
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The Murray Football Netball League released its complete season fixture before Christmas, becoming the third of the AFL Goulburn Murray competitions to do so.
With neither the Kyabram District or Goulburn Valley leagues opting for an Easter kick off, Murray organisers seized the opportunity to schedule five matches on Good Friday, March 29.
The early headline act is the 2023 football grand final rematch, where defending champions Mulwala will unfurl the premiership flag before renewing hostilities with runner-up Congupna, featuring new star recruit Kyle Mueller.
Cross-border rivals Moama and Echuca United will meet in another opening-round blockbuster at Moama Recreation Reserve.
The Deni Rams will host its traditional Good Friday clash against Finley, which will be held under lights at Hardinge St oval thanks to recently announced lighting upgrades.
The other Good Friday clashes will be between Tongala and Nathalia and Numurkah and Rumbalara.
Cobram hosts Barooga at Scott Oval in a standalone Easter Saturday fixture as the Murray league seeks to take advantage of Easter tourism in the region.
In a similar bid, the league has opted to play the reverse of each opening round game across the King’s Birthday weekend in round nine.
“The focus of the fixture is to maximise revenue for the clubs, especially early in the season,” the league said in a statement.
“The clubs take advantage of the region’s population boom with an influx of tourists along the river.”
A long season awaits for the 12 clubs, with home-and-away fixtures lasting 22 weeks, wrapping up on Saturday, August 24.
Rounds four, eight and 16 will be split rounds, with a general bye set for the weekend of July 6.
After all the toil, grand final day will take place on Saturday, September 21, at Moama Recreation Reserve.
The league said the decision comes on the back of consecutive record attendances in 2023 and 2022.
MFNL organisers booked the league showpiece for the day before the GVL finale and a week before the AFL crowns its 2024 premier.
The Finley Cats and Deni Rams rivalry is one of the fiercest in the league.
Both times the neighbouring clubs met in 2023 it was Finley who came out on top on the football field.
The traditional Good Friday match between the two clubs was a close affair, with the Cats only hanging on by one claw to win with one point - 8.14 (62) to Deni’s 9.7 (61), at the Cats’ home ground.
When they met again in round 11, Finley was more dominant claiming the win by 16 points.
But as always, it was still a competitive game as shown by the low scores - Finley 10.5 (65) defeated Deni 7.7 (49).
The Cats have resigned a number of their key players this year, and will also welcome some new blood who will go some way to keeping up the momentum.
Joining the Cattery is 2024 will be Nick Bertino and Jesse White.
Bertino grew up in Drummoyne, playing more than 150 games for his junior club Drummoyne Power before moving to Sydney for university.
“Nick is an ultimate team man and teammate, ever reliable on the field to play his role,” the club said.
“Nick will bring a competitive nature and leadership to the backline, and will generate plenty of rebound by foot.
“He is extremely excited to get down to the Cattery and embrace the Finley Cats community.”
The club will also welcome Jesse White to the seniors side.
“Jesse grew up in Warrnambool, and his football career began for the Kororoit Saints in the Hamden Football league, where he played an integral role in a Koriot flag in 2014 as a 17 year-old,” the club said.
“Jesse then moved to Geelong for studies and continued his football at the Torquay Football Club, where he went on to win another premiership in 2017.
“In 2020, Jesse then had a crack with VFL club Williamstown but due to COVID couldn’t continue this journey.
“After a three year stint off football, Jesse joined mid year with North Heidelberg Bulldogs in the NFNL to get back into the game, where he amazingly managed to play a couple of seniors games and was awarded best finals player in the respective finals.
“Jesse’s game of elite ball use and strong ability to read the game will be wonderful to watch for the cats supporter base.”
Providing some resistance to the Cats attack for the Rams this year will be some skilled former AFL players.
Bolstering the Rams strength this season will be the return of AFL star Sam Lloyd to his childhood club at Deniliquin.
A guest star when his AFL playing schedule allowed in other seasons, Lloyd has committed to a full season with the Rams in 2024.
And coming along for the ride with him will be mate Hamish Shepheard, who spent three years in the AFL with Fremantle.
The Rams have also welcomed back former premiership coach Gary Parsons, who will coach alongside Ash Morris this year.
The Cats and Rams dynamic was reversed on the courts in 2023, with the Deniliquin Rams A-grade netballers far too strong for Finley in both rounds last year.
On Good Friday, the Deni Rams A-grade came away with a 61-6 win.
Finley fought back a little harder in round 11, but still could not match the Rams’ strength. Deni won 79-29.
The full draw is available on the Murray Football Netball League’s Facebook page.