Boots polished, dressed pressed - the eve of the Goulburn Valley League season is just around the bend.
The air is charged with nervous excitement as 12 teams from around the region prepare to wage war on the oval and court, hoping to book an all-important date at Deakin Reserve when grand final day rolls around on September 21.
On the football front, Echuca remains the benchmark – but challengers are arising thick and fast.
Last decade’s powerhouse Kyabram has ushered in name after name through its doors while Mansfield turned heads during the off-season with the announcement of ex-AFL recruits such as Callum Brown and Jake Kelly.
Netball wise, Euroa will be hellbent on defending its A-grade crown after snapping a 41-year drought in 2024 in emphatic fashion.
In pursuit of the star-studded Magpies will likely be runner-up Echuca with a raft of top six candidates in tow.
Like always, there’s glory up for grabs; who will stand up and take it?
FOOTBALL
GOULBURN VALLEY LEAGUE PAST PREMIERS
2024: Echuca
2023: Echuca
2022: Echuca
2019: Kyabram
2018: Shepparton
PAST MORRISON MEDALLISTS
2024: Ashley Holland (Shepparton)
2023: Jack O’Sullivan (Seymour)
2022: Ben Rigoni (Seymour)
2021: Jack O’Sullivan (Seymour)
2019: Mick Mattingly (Kyabram)
2018: Nik Rokahr (Shepparton) and Sam Martin (Benalla)
2017: Simon Buckley (Echuca)
2016: Simon Buckley (Echuca)
2015: Ash Watson (Rochester)
2014: Will Martiniello (Benalla)
LADDER PREDICTIONS
1 Echuca
2 Kyabram
3 Shepparton
4 Mansfield
5 Rochester
6 Seymour
7 Shepparton Swans
8 Tatura
9 Mooroopna
10 Euroa
11 Benalla
12 Shepparton United
NETBALL
GOULBURN VALLEY LEAGUE PAST PREMIERS
2024: Euroa
2023: Echuca
2022: Seymour
2019: Seymour
2018: Echuca
WELLMAN FAMILY MEDALLISTS
2024: Kimberley Borger (Shepparton)
2023: Sarah Sczcykulski (Seymour)
2022: Jessie Barnes (Shepparton United)
2021: Jessie Barnes (Shepparton United)
2019: Jessie Barnes (Shepparton United)
2018: Emma Ryan (Tatura)
2017: Steph Vick (Kyabram)
2016: Steph Vick (Kyabram)
2015: Elle McDonald (Seymour)
2014: Jacinta Todd (Shepparton)
LADDER PREDICTIONS
1 Euroa
2 Echuca
3 Mooroopna
4 Shepparton
5 Tatura
6 Seymour
7 Shepparton Swans
8 Shepparton United
9 Kyabram
10 Rochester
11 Benalla
12 Mansfield