A handful of Murray league clubs have continued to make big plays throughout the off-season.
Numurkah has locked in Caitlyn Price as A-grade coach to be served by assistant Michelle Ryan, bringing together a concoction of experience from outside leagues.
Price, who coached Strathmerton to a Picola District Netball League premiership in 2019, played alongside ex-Shepparton United goaler Ryan at the Blues in the 2023 season under Fi Elliott.
With Elliott stepping aside, Price has a firm goal of guiding Numurkah above and beyond its eighth placing in the recent season and snapping a five-year drought of missing finals.
“You do play netball to enjoy it and have a bit of fun, but there’s always that end goal that you want to play finals,” Price said.
“Knowing where Numurkah has been the last few years, that’s definitely in the back of my mind, that step further than this season.
“I’m definitely aiming for that top six and I think we certainly can pull together a side that’s capable of achieving that.”
Like many, the duo has kept eyes on some of the other clubs’ movements in the post-season.
With a handful of Murray league sides raiding the Goulburn Valley League pantry, Price hopes for a few signing coups to come Numurkah’s way as the promise of cut-throat competition looms.
“It’s intimidating seeing some of the names in the other sides, but in saying that, it’s a great opportunity for all other sides to step up,” she said.
“It just shows the standard of Murray league is improving year in year out and that’s what you want ... hopefully we can sign a few to match some of those other clubs with the big names.
“But it’s great; I can’t wait to play against some of those stronger players with a bit of GV experience.”
On the football front, Jono Henderson has agreed to another year leading the pack at Rumbalara.
Henderson took over from Chris Egan while the 2023 campaign was in its infancy, but could not grind out an elusive win, something which hasn’t eventuated since July 20 2021.
Unsurprisingly, Henderson has identified extra personnel as a prerogative to change the unwanted statistic right away.
“It was a tough, challenging year last year with the group that we had,” Henderson said.
“We had 15, 16 blokes under 20 which was really tough, but also really promising as well.
“We’re just trying to add some experience and some of those kids, get back to basics, work on our fundamentals, work hard over pre-season and try and be competitive again.
“Trying to get some experience back to our club, past players, new players, whatever it’s going to take to have some experience around those young boys.”
Despite two seasons without a single win, Rumbalara has maintained a suitable level of morale at Mercury Drive.
“We went right back to basics and tried to enjoy footy as much as we could throughout the week and at training because we knew come game day it was going to be pretty tough,” Henderson said.
“We just enjoyed being around each other, got together socially and did those sorts of things a little bit better than we normally would I thought.
“That’s what it’s about ... and just trying to get some enjoyment back into playing footy again.”
And further north, Congupna has the district footy circle talking with a string of impressive gets.
Former Shepparton Swans players Rylen Damianopoulos, Isaiah Jones and Russell Eden link up once more, while Shepparton United reserves premiership star Robbie Mifka also heads to The Road.