Sport is the birthplace of many great rivalries, and there is none bigger in the twin towns than that of Moama and Echuca United.
The two clubs will meet once again on Saturday, competing across a full day of football and netball, in all grades from juniors to seniors, with the victorious side taking home the Three Jacks Trophy.
Moama’s Jack Eddy, Echuca East’s Jack O’Neill and Jack Hay, from Echuca South, are the namesakes of the trophy, an award that transcends the traditional rivalry.
And while the essence of the day is about commemorating the contributions of three community football stalwarts, there is no doubting just how much each club wants to be holding that trophy at the end of the day.
In round two it was Moama that retained the trophy in brutal fashion, winning every single match up from the under-14 football to the A-grade netball.
Echuca United senior football coach Farran Priest said his group was excited for the challenge after taking it to the heavily-fancied Magpies side in round two.
“Playing Moama this week, it's not just a rivalry,” he said.
“There's obviously the Three Jacks involved, and we're super excited for that. Going from last time we played them, we put in a really good effort I thought, and that won't change again for us.”
Eagles’ A-grade netball captain Jess Davidson said the side shared the same excitement, having suffered a 22-goal defeat during the round two clash.
Since then, the Eagles have gone on a seven-game unbeaten run, and are confident they will be able to continue that streak.
“It is something we have addressed,” Davidson said of Moama being the last side to beat them.
“Since we last played them, we have grown so much as a team and feel like it will be a totally different game.
“We respect that they have had a great start to the season, and we are looking forward to the match tomorrow.”
With such an emphatic overall Three Jacks victory in round two behind them, the Moama camp is understandably confident they will be able to get the job done.
However they are well aware they will be coming up against a different Echuca United to earlier in the season.
“United have been playing some good footy, they've had some good wins,” said Magpie Tom Sheldon, who will enter this week fresh off an 11-goal effort against Rumbalara.
“It'll be a really tough game, and if the weather's (wet) it will be tougher again. So, we're feeling good, but we know it's going to be a tough week too."
Moama’s senior football side has managed to halt a small slide, countering two consecutive losses with back-to-back wins, and will once again enter the Three Jacks clash as favourites.
Jodie Lake, Moama’s A-grade netball coach, believes her side deserves the ‘favourite’ status in the netball too, despite Echuca United’s seven-game winning streak.
“We always look forward to playing United, being the cross-town rivals,” she said.
“I think we probably do have the upper hand going in, because we know what we've got and what we're capable of. We’re nearly back to a full-strength squad this week, so that’s really promising too.”
After travelling to Echuca South for the round two clash, Moama will host the return leg at Moama Recreation Reserve, with the junior football and netball commencing proceedings.
The A-grade netball will get under way at 1.30pm, while the first bounce in the senior football is at 2pm.