That’s all folks.
After another season full of ups and downs and twists and turns, the Murray Football Netball League has come to a conclusion for 2022.
It was a year of mixed results for both Cobram and Barooga, with some sides running deep into finals action and others missing out all together.
So with the season now at an end, The Courier thought now was the perfect time to have a look back on the year that was, and some of our favourite photos to go with it.
Cobram
Football
Seniors (1st - 15, 3 - Grand final)
It was a terrific year on the field for Cobram’s senior football side, with John Brunskill’s men making it all the way to the big dance.
The minor premier, Cobram won its first 12 games of the season, with a side full to the brim with local talent and rising stars winning the hearts of the community.
Unfortunately the side could not get the job done on grand final day, falling to Mulwala in a heartbreaking three-point loss.
However after a season to remember, the senior Tigers are sure to be back next season.
Reserves (4th - 12, 6 - Elimination final)
In the reserves competition, Cobram secured a fourth place finish at the end of the home and away season.
Although they lost to Mulwala by 30 points in the elimination final, the men in yellow and black certainly gave plenty of teams a run for their money.
Supporting the senior side on its impressive run, the reserves played a key role in Cobram’s successful year on the football field.
Under-17s (6th - 11, 7 - Semi-final)
Like the reserves side, it was a decent year on the field for Cobram’s under-17 outfit.
Ending the season in sixth position, the rising stars produced an incredible elimination final performance against Rumbalara.
The Tigers held Rumba scoreless in the final quarter of the do-or-die clash, securing a tight one-point win.
While the team’s season would come to an end in the semi-final against Finley a week later, the elimination final effort will certainly be remembered for years to come.
Under-14s (3rd - 16, 2 - Premiers)
Supporters of Cobram’s under-14 side could not have asked for a better end to the season for their Tiger cubs, with a grand final victory capping off a great year.
Finishing the home and away season in third, four points behind both first and second place, the Tigers went through the finals campaign undefeated.
Downing Nathalia in the elimination final, the Deniliquin Rams in the semi-final and Mulwala in the preliminary final, the grand final win was appropriate reward for effort.
Netball
A-grade (11th - 4, 14)
It was a difficult year on the netball courts for Cobram’s A-grade side, with wins hard to come by in a strong league.
Competitive most weeks, the Tigers suffered a number of losses by 10 goals or less and victories against Numurkah, Echuca United and Barooga were great reward for effort.
With plenty of young talent coming through the ranks, the Tigers are sure to be back bigger and better next season.
B-grade (9th - 4, 14)
Ending the year with the same record as their A-grade counterparts, Cobram’s B-graders finished in ninth position.
A memorable 12-goal win over Finley saw the side start the year on a high and when the Tigers downed Echuca United in round four things were looking up.
However unfortunately things did not click, with a ninth place finish a positive way to end the year.
C-reserve (12th - 0, 17)
A tough year on the court for Cobram’s C-reserve side, the girls in yellow and black struggled against some talented opposition, securing a 12th placed finish.
17-and-under (12th - 0, 17)
In a similar fashion to the C-reserve side it was a tough year on court for Cobram’s 17-and-under side, with a last placed result a difficult way to end the year.
15-and-under (1st - 16, 3 - Grand final)
A shining light on the courts of Scott Reserve, the young Tigers produced a fantastic season to secure the minor premiership.
Despite falling to Deniliquin in a heartbreaking grand final defeat, the Leah Nish-coached cubs did Cobram proud and are sure to hold the club in good stead in the future.
13-and-under (6th - 7, 10 - Elimination final)
A trip to the finals was good reward for an impressive Cobram 13-and-under side.
Another team that shows the future of the club is bright, the Tigers could not get the job done in the post-season, however a finals berth is still a great achievement.
Barooga
Football
Seniors (9th - 4, 14)
A season of growth for Barooga’s senior football side, the team had a tricky start to the campaign, taking until round six to secure its first victory.
Competitive most weeks, the Hawks lost playing coach and former AFL star Jackson Trengove midway through the year, with Tony Tranter taking the helm at the end of the season.
With former player Luke Jarjoura pencilled in to take on the role of senior coach next year and a number of young talents coming through the ranks, the future looks bright for Barooga.
Reserves (9th - 5, 13)
Much like the senior side, it was a year of rebuilding for the Barooga reserves.
Wining five games for the year, the Hawks were not far off a finals berth, however a tricky start to the year put them on the back foot.
Under-17s (9th - 5, 13)
In a spooky coincidence, Barooga’s under-17 footballers finished in the same position as both the seniors and reserves.
A reflection of where the club is currently at, the Hawks will continue to rise up the ladder in the coming years.
Under-14s (10th - 3, 15)
The Hawks’ young stars failed to click into gear this season, with a tricky year on the field still filled with plenty of highlights.
An 88-point win over Numurkah in round 13 certainly stands out, and while the Hawks could not always compete on the scoreboard, their effort cannot be questioned.
Netball
A-grade (10th - 4, 14)
Like the club’s football sides, wins were hard to come by on the netball court for Barooga’s A-graders.
Putting in a solid shift every week, the side will be hoping to build on its 2022 result next year, with coach Matt Healey set to once again lead the side in 2023.
B-grade (6th - 11-8 - Semi-final)
Barooga’s B-grade outfit had an impressive season on the courts, with a positive win-loss record and a serious post-season tilt.
Making their way to the semi-finals, the Hawks put on a show for the brown-and-gold faithful week in week out, consistently taking it up to the competition.
While the season came to an end at the hands of Nathalia, an elimination final win will certainly provide a strong base to build from.
C-grade (3rd - 15, 4 - Preliminary final)
A terrific year on the court from the Barooga C-graders saw them produce a serious run at the premiership.
While an 18-goal preliminary final loss was a disappointing way to bow out, the Hawks finished just two wins behind minor premier Moama on the ladder, with a strong outfit doing the club proud.
C-reserve (4th - 13, 6 - Semi-final)
In another display of how strong Barooga’s senior netballers are, the C-reserve team had an impressive season.
Falling by just seven goals to eventual grand finalist Rumbalara in the semi-final, the side’s finals run showed the strength of the club’s senior netball setup.
17-and-under (7th, 8, 10)
Missing out on finals by just 0.98 per cent, the Hawks were unlucky not to have a post-season berth.
Showing the future is bright at the club, the 17-and-under side will be sure to have a good year next year, with the heartbreaking end of season result sure to light a fire inside.
15-and-under (6th - 5, 8 - Elimination final)
Marching all the way to the elimination final, Barooga’s 15-and-under side was very much a middle of the road team this season.
With plenty of talent spread across the league the side could not make a serious finals tilt, however a finals berth provides plenty to build on in 2023.
13-and-under (8th - 5, 11)
Despite missing out on finals, it was a successful year for Barooga’s young Hawks.
Winning five games for the season, the club’s future stars are set to continue to improve in the years to come.