Key forward Kaelan Bradtke will return to the Roos after claiming the 2025 Dangar Strang Medal for the league’s leading goal kicker.
Easter Saturday always sets the stage for one of the biggest days on the Ovens and Murray calendar and for the Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club, with a strong crowd and a big-game atmosphere to match.
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The 2026 Ovens and Murray season is shaping up nicely for the men in blue and white.
With Daryn Creswell entering his second year at the helm, the Roo boys look well placed to take their game to another level.
Season 2025 saw Corowa Rutherglen add two more wins to their tally, highlighted by the drought-breaking victory over Albury in Round 12.
A stunning 10-goal third term set up a famous win that will be remembered by Roos supporters for a long time.
2026 Leadership group and line captains
Co-captains: Jedd Longmire & Will Chandler
Defence captain: Jordan Eyers
Midfield captain: Angus Curry
Forward captain: Kaelan Bradtke
Senior Coach: Daryn Creswell.
Ins: Tom Longmire (Sydney Swans VFL), Izaak Twelftree Conor (Norwood), Will Axelby (Belconnen), Raven Jolliffe (year off), Will Chandler (Glenelg), Jesse Moloney (Billabong Crows), Charlie St John, Jesse Cannell (Wodonga Raiders/VFL listed), Josh Eder (Mulwala/VFL listed), Jy Lane (Broadbeach/VFL Listed).
Outs: Darcy Melksham, Mak Lavis (Bell Park, Geelong), Finn Osborne (South Cairns), Brady Morton (uncertain), Jack Rowston, Nathan Richards (Griffith), Jordan Foote (Mangoplah Cookardinia United Eastlakes).
Kaelan Bradtke capped off a great return to the blue and white with 62 goals for the season, claiming the Dangar Strang Medal for the league’s leading goal kicker, the first Corowa player to do so since Lee Schmidt in 2008.
Creswell and his recruiting staff cast the net far and wide over summer, bringing home some important former locals in Jy Lane and newly announced co-captain Will Chandler, who will lead alongside VFL-listed Jedd Longmire.
Both Lane and Chandler bring valuable state league experience, having played in the WAFL and SANFL respectively.
In another exciting addition, Corowa has welcomed Tom Longmire, the eldest son of John Longmire, to the club, creating the strong possibility that four cousins - Jedd and Tex Longmire, Tom Longmire and Will Chandler - could line up together in the same side.
Jedd Longmire will provide strong leadership for the Roos in 2026.
Additional Ovens and Murray experience comes in the form of Raven Jolliffe, a versatile footballer who is more than handy with ball in hand.
Further strengthening the list, Corowa has recruited AFL Canberra youngster Will Axelby, ex-Sandringham captain Xavier Bamert, who is currently listed with North Melbourne’s VFL side, and Izaak Twelvetree from Norwood in the SANFL, who is more than capable in front of goals.
The club’s younger players have enjoyed a strong pre-season and will look to impact the scoreboard at senior level.
Over the off-season, several of the club’s young senior players - Ky Williamson, Noah and Elijah Amery, Paddy Lavis and Deky Yates - spent time playing in the Northern Territory Football League, gaining valuable experience and proving they can impact the scoreboard at senior level.
While there have been a few departures, Corowa has retained a strong core of its local senior list, including Tom Forrest, Joe Hansen, Jordan Eyers, Deacon Clancy and Jedd Longmire, which will provide important continuity and leadership.
The pre-season has been very positive for the Roos, with strong training numbers and a successful camp last week that included a fun Amazing Race competition around Corowa.
The Roos have also had solid practice hit-outs against suburban powerhouse Keilor in Benalla and a scrappy, hard-fought win against Edithvale/Aspendale a fortnight ago.
The boys now turn their attention to Round 1, where they take on the Wodonga Bulldogs on Easter Saturday.
The Roos will head into 2026 with a strong mix of local talent, returning players and high-quality recruits, and there is a genuine sense the club is building towards something exciting this season.
The leadership group has also been restructured for 2026, with Joe Hansen and Cody Schutt stepping down from official leadership roles to make way for the next group of leaders.
Roos Netball eyes strong start to season
With a solid pre-season behind them, the Roos netballers are well prepared and eager to make their mark in the upcoming Ovens and Murray campaign.
Corowa-Rutherglen enters the 2026 netball season with renewed energy and optimism, highlighted by a fresh coaching appointment and an exciting list of recruits.
Sophie Hanrahan takes the reins of the A Grade side following the conclusion of Sally Hunter’s tenure last season.
Hanrahan has already made a significant impact, leveraging her strong network to attract key talent to the club.
Among the notable inclusions are Mikayla Trethowan (Wangaratta Rovers), returning former Corowa B Grade player Imogen Taylor, and Annalise Barlow (North Albury).
The Roos boast impressive depth across the court, with Hanrahan and Emily Lavis (Laracy) anchoring the defensive end, while two-time Ovens and Murray B Grade best-and-fairest winner Lisa French provides a proven scoring presence in attack.
Both A and B Grade sides were highly competitive throughout the 2025 home-and-away season, with each progressing to finals before bowing out.
Roos ace Sophie Hanrahan will pass on some of her extensive netball knowledge as A Grade coach.
Building on that foundation, the Roos are firmly focused on securing a top-five finish in 2026.
B Grade will once again be in capable hands, led by coach Kiara Corkett, a 200-game veteran of the club whose experience and leadership remain invaluable.
The club’s future also looks bright, with strong junior trials delivering depth across both junior sides.
C Grade is shaping as an exciting mix of emerging talent from last year’s Under 17 squad, complemented by the return of midcourter Jemma Smith, who brings both leadership and experience after time overseas.
Roos senior netball ins and outs
Ins: Imogen Taylor, Sophie Morey (Moyhu), Mikaela Trethowan (Wangaratta Rovers), Ange DeMamiel (Lavington), Annalise Barlow (North Albury), Chloe Gilchrist (returning).
Outs: Indi Frauenfelder (season off), Leah Keating (Bright), Lou Madden (relocated to Sydney), Sally Clark (Osborne), Gabe McRae (injured).
