From the Weekly Times
CLASSY utility Luke O'Toole will return home to coach Ultima in the Golden Rivers Football League this season. O'Toole, who won the Central Murray league's best-and-fairest Jack Betts medal in 2001, will be aiming to take the Roos to the finals for the first time since they claimed the Golden Rivers flag in 2004.

From the Weekly Times
COUNTRY Victoria's youngest senior football club is no longer just making up the numbers, says co-coach Darryl Wilson. After bowing out of last year's Bendigo Football League flag race in the preliminary final, Wilson said Strathfieldsaye Football Club was serious about staying at the top this season. "It is not just about being here for us any more, it's about taking the next step," Wilson said.

From the Weekly Times
PERENNIAL grand finalist Kerang remains the team to beat in the Central Murray Football League this season. The Blues have featured in seven of the past nine premiership deciders and, after a flawless 2012 season, show no signs of losing their competitive edge. The Blues' unbeaten run last year culminated in a 61-point grand final victory over Woorinen, securing the club its second flag in three seasons.

From the Weekly Times
WHEN Ben McEvoy was drafted to St Kilda, his mum's biggest wish was for her son's new club to find him a horse to ride. "He always goes for a ride the night before a match to clear his head," Sharon McEvoy said, when The Weekly Times visited the family's 130ha beef and sheep property at Dederang the day before the 2007 draft.

From the Weekly Times
FORMER Essendon utility Andrew Welsh will pull on the boots for Central Murray league club Koondrook-Barham.
Koondrook-Barham president Rod Barrington confirmed the signing of the ex-Bombers vice-captain. "We have been working with Andrew for some time, but it was great to finally secure him," Barrington said. "It's great to get him on board at the club and everyone is very excited.

From the Weekly Times
THE Maryborough Castlemaine league will run an under-12s competition this year. The clubs voted to launch the new grade earlier this month, after the demise of the Midlands Junior Football League. It is expected the under-12s matches will be held on Saturday mornings in line with the league's senior fixture. The move would mean five games of football on one day, made possible by a shortening of playing times in the reserves and slightly later starting times for senior fixtures.

From the Weekly Times
WHEN Dean McLaren signed up for a charity football match last year his wife was pregnant. He could not know then just how important that fundraising effort would be or how he would witness first-hand the good the money could do. Mr McLaren played in the Howlong versus Jindera football match last year that put $10,000 into the coffers of the Royal Children's Hospital appeal.

From the Weekly Times
NORTH Albury coach Jason Akermanis has issued a warning to rival Ovens and Murray clubs before this weekend's season opener. "Don't write us off."  Despite claiming last year's wooden spoon with only four wins, Akermanis said his new-look Hoppers would "take any team on".

From the Weekly Times
THE new-look Western Border league remains hopeful of luring South Australian club Penola in future seasons.
After losing three clubs to the neighbouring Hampden league over summer, Western Border will play a 15-round season with six clubs this year. Penola plays in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara league.

From the Weekly Times
DON'T envy us, join us. That's the message from Yarrawonga Football Club as it fends off criticism about its swag of ex-AFL players. The Pigeons, reigning premiers in the Ovens and Murray league, drew the ire of some country football followers when they announced they had signed former Geelong ruckman Brad Ottens last month.