The 2013 Murray Football League season kicks off this week and a number of close rivals clash. In front of big Easter crowds, there should be some very entertaining games. Clubs have been very busy on the recruiting front, while there have also been some major departures. Finley, Echuca United and Mulwala appear to again be major contenders this season.
While Moama, Tongala and Rumbalara should improve on last season.
Round 1
Good Friday March 29th
Deniliquin v Finley
Deni Rams take on Finley in what is traditionally a very tough, hard fought game of footy. The Rams under astute Coach Gary Parsons have regained some former players in Anthony Bull, Simon Maher and Tom Draffin, along with recruits Matt Robinson, Blair Whelan, Beau Close and Brett McDonald. They should give valuable support to Nick Howe, Ash Morris and Josh Whelan. The Cats have a new coach in Damian Sexton who returns to the fold, and brings also some quality recruits in Ryan Bongetti and Jake Plattfuss. They have lost some promising youngsters in Jordan Taylor, Jordan Daniel and Reid Crowe. However, there is still plenty of quality in Matt Jackson, Tim Robertson, Kamen Ogilvie and Paul Massingham.
On the Rams home deck a hard close game is on the cards, but the Cats should open their season with a victory.
Moama v Echuca United
Cross border rivals Moama clash with Echuca United. The Eagles have added some quality to their list in former players Guy Campbell and Anthony Baker. They should take a lot of pressure off key players Duane Hueston and Ryan Prendergast, while the Eagles midfield trio of Scott Beattie, Rowan and Farran Priest are the best in the MFL. Moama under second year coach Simon Maddox has recruited solidly with Josh Maddox, David Ismail, Michael Sage and a number of players from Wallan and Leitchville-Gunbower jumping on board. They may take time to gel, but the Mowers should be big improvers this season. Moama should take this game right up to the Eagles in front of a big home crowd, but the midfield class of the Eagles should get them home.
Tocumwal v Congupna
New coaches in Shane Gorman and Kevin O’Donoghue have had a huge turnover in players, but both will be keen to kick their season off with an early victory. The Bloods will be keen for an improved season with a number of recruits making the trek from Melbourne in Dalton Sanderson, Aaron Findlay, Matthew Neill and Harry Crowe. They will give valuable support to David Farrell, Ben Phelan and Michael Madden. Congupna have had a huge loss of quality players in Tyson Sidebottom, Marc Bullen, Shannon Emmett, Eamon Reeves, Ben Wellington, Adrian Parker and Jordan Hallam. However, they have added Luke and Paul Kenelley, Kieran Sheehan and Jack Fuller to their list to assist Marcus Drum, Mitch Sidebottom, Daniel Bowles and Kaine Greening. This game is a bit of an unknown with the class of recruits relatively unknown, however Congupna may sneak home.
Nathalia v Tongala
Another two new coaches in Jason Limbrick and David Newman will also be keen to start their coaching careers with a win. The Purples have had a large turnover of players from the 2012 Premiership team, with a number of retirements and Chris Atkins, Tom Sheldon, Ash Quinn, Mick Croxford, Dave Daniel and Brett Vallender all on the move. They have recruited a number of former juniors, along with Jarrod Bingham and Joe Richardson. The Purples still have some quality in big men Jason Limbrick, Brodie Ross, Jarrod Maskell and Ian Fulton, along with Nathan Gemmill, Matt Davies, Nathan Ryan, Luke Quinn, Troy Snelson, Alistair Corry and Craig Whyte. Tongala have David Newman and Jordan Souter in charge and have recruited strongly with a car load of players from Melbourne and Adam Nunn, James and Sam Lovison to name a few. They will give great support to Jimmy Cullum, Adam Lovison, Luke McGill and Steve Townsend. This promises to be another close game, but if Tonny’s new recruits can stand up they may take the 4 points on offer.
Easter Saturday March 30th
Cobram v Barooga
On Easter Saturday another cross border clash takes place at Cobram. The Tigers new joint coaches in Trevor Mills and Matt Hyde will have their side primed for a big first up performance. They have lost some quality in Ryan Bongetti, Rob Osborne and Kane Boyer to name a few. They do have a few handy recruits in Tom Thorsen, Daniel McIntyre and Sam Gemmill, along with several quality players in Matt Hyde, Tom Crapp, Nick Tassell, Adam Svarc and John Lucas. Barooga Coach Shaun Robbins has also suffered some big player losses with Sean and Dan Ellis, Michael Egan, Steve McKee, Jeremy Stevenson, Brett Clarke and Clinton and Brenton Runnalls flying the nest. The have recruited former Numurkah coach Luke Jarjoura, along with Dylan Brooks and Matt Hendry. On pre-season form the Tigers should have a comfortable victory.
Mulwala v Rumbalara
In the final match of the round Mulwala host Rumbalara after suffering severely with storms last week. They will be out to start the season on a positive note. Prolific goal kicker Lee James has left along with promising youngsters Sean Johns and Bodhi Butts. They have also recruited strongly with Kyle Archibald, Chase Strawhorn, Ben James, Josh Slattery, Lucas Olson and Keegan Oliver jumping on board. Lions Coach Nick O’Bryan would be pleased with his list of new recruits to support Sean Robinson, Anthony Giuliano, Nathan Parker and Cam Symes. Rumbalara have a new coach in Damian Morgan-Bulled and he has enticed a number of former players to return. Levi Power, Jamie Atkinson, Jono Henderson, Des Morgan, Leroy Boland and Eric Edwards will strengthen up Rumba and assist Rex Taylor, Ryan Hudson and Justin Terlich. At home Mulwala should be too good for Rumba on the final siren.
Selections – Finley, Echuca United, Congupna, Tongala, Cobram, Mulwala.
By Neale Hawks
