It will be 1092 days this Saturday that have elapsed since the Murray Football Netball League held its last grand final day.
Out at Finley Recreation Reserve, Nathalia capped off a glorious five-peat, Tongala two’s broke a 55-year drought, Cobram’s thirds roared to victory and the Rams wouldn’t be denied in the under-14s.
Echuca United claimed four netball premierships, Moama swooped on back-to-back B-grade flags, and Deni and Finley scooped junior accolades.
That was three years ago.
But now, with community sport emerging from COVID-19’s dark pall, the Murray will see new premiers crowned this Saturday, and the hopes of a league reinvigorated.
Thousands are expected to pack into a roaring Moama Recreation Reserve this Saturday, September 17 to witness the first grand finals at the venue since 2016, and pundits are predicting one of the biggest crowds in recent memory.
“Everything’s in readiness,” MFNL operations manager Dale Norman said.
“Murray River Shire and Moama Football Netball Club have done a sensational job sorting the ground and facilities, it’s in tip-top condition.”
Across three seasons in the mid-2010s, Moama established itself as a field of dreams on grand final day.
It was last the scene of Nathalia’s famous — and narrow — triumphs in 2015 and 2016 over the Magpies and Finley respectively, while Rumbalara’s comeback over Finley in 2014 will long be remembered.
“I remember all three of them — they were cracking games,” Norman said.
“They were all similar scores; Finley and Rumbalara was close, Nathalia and Moama’s clash, and Nathalia and Finley’s was a thriller as well.”
It was 2016 when Echuca United capped off back-to-back A-grade triumphs, a feat emulated by Moama over the next two seasons.
These were the storylines missed throughout the cancelled 2020 season and shortened 2021 season.
But new chapters will be written with all four senior premiership contenders poised to break new ground.
Cobram and Mulwala will contest the senior football grand final, with both the Tigers and Lions set to be the first premiers outside of Nathalia since 2014.
Echuca United and Moama’s streak at the top of A-grade came to an end this season, with the unbeaten Deniliquin and Rumbalara ensuring a new premier outside of the Eagles and Magpies for the first time since 2014.
“These will be tantalising contests,” Norman said.
“We’ve got four clubs who have had long premiership droughts and are desperate to break them.
“We should have some really exciting games, and they’ll be going hard.”
Action gets under way from 9am, with gates opening at 7:45am.
But with a frenetic day of action inbound, Norman reminded spectators of the need to be respectful.
“I just remind all spectators to be respectful of what’s going on during the day, that way everyone can enjoy the day,” he said.
Full grand final previews can be found from pages 27-38.
Murray Football Netball League grand final day
Moama Recreation Reserve
Saturday, September 17
Forecast: 13℃, showers expected