The stage is set for a cracking year of competition in the Picola District Football Netball League.
With a COVID-19 interrupted season last year and no season in 2020, all clubs are raring to get back out on the track for what will hopefully be a long and full season.
On the football side of things, it will be a fascinating race for the premiership, with a number of clubs looking like they could hoist the trophy come season’s end.
Strathmerton has strengthened an already dominant line-up and will be flag favourite.
The Bulldogs are boasting a similar team to the one that went 13-1 last season and as reigning premiers from 2019, will be the team to beat.
Tocumwal is a side on the up and is said to be in the best position it has been in for years, with some saying the current feeling at training is similar to 2009 when it won the premiership in Murray Football League.
At Katamatite, the Tigers are almost certain to be in the premiership conversation this year, with coach Jedd Wright at the helm of a strong side.
Like football, Strathmerton looks to be in a strong position to take out the netball premiership and is reigning premier from 2019.
Yet, Bulldogs coach Olivia Osborne predicted a slow start to the season, which could be costly come finals time.
Waaia will also be up there again this year, looking to improve on its fifth-placed finish last season.
While Katunga will be putting its best foot forward to replicate last year’s season where it finished on top of the ladder.
It should be a great season of football and netball across the league this season and there has never been a more exciting time to get out and support your team.
LADDER PREDICTION
FOOTBALL
1. Strathmerton
2. Katamatite
3. Katandra
4. Waaia
5. Tocumwal
6. Berrigan
7. Tungamah
8. Jerilderie
9. Katunga
10. Mathoura
11. Picola United
12. Deniliquin Rovers
13. Rennie
14. Yarroweyah
15. Blighty
NETBALL
1. Strathmerton
2. Katunga
3. Waaia
4. Picola United
5. Jerilderie
6. Tungamah
7. Katamatite
8. Deniliquin Rovers
9. Tocumwal
10. Katandra
11. Mathoura
12. Berrigan
13. Blighty
14. Rennie
15. Yarroweyah
PICOLA DISTRICT FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE PAST PREMIERS:
2021: Football: N/A Netball: N/A
2020: Football: N/A Netball: N/A
2019: Football: Strathmerton Netball: Strathmerton
2018: Football: Rennie Netball: Deniliquin
2017 NW: Picola United and Tocumwal
2017 SE: Rennie and Katunga
2016 NW: Picola United and Tocumwal
2016 SE: Shepparton East and Katunga
2015 NW: Strathmerton and Tocumwal
2015 SE: Tungamah and Katunga
2014 NW: Jerilderie and Strathmerton
2014 SE: Tungamah and Katandra
PAST PEARCE MEDALLISTS
2021: Chris Marshall (Jerildeire)
2020: N/A
2019: John Woodcock (Katamatite)
2018: Ash Thompson (Waaia) and Mark Ryan (Picola United)
2017 NW: Jed Brain (Blighty)
2017 SE: Bodhi Butts (Tungamah)
2016 NW: Andrew May (Deni Rovers) and Dave Daniel (Picola United)
2016 SE: Matt Rendina (Shepparton East), Eamon Reeves (Katunga) and Matt McCarty (Waaia)
2015 NW: Paul Massingham (Berrigan)
2015 SE: Matt McCarty (Waaia) and Nick Doyle (Tungamah)
2014 NW: Andrew May (Jerilderie)
2014 SE: Luke Minogue (Katandra) and Tyson Saunders (Katamatite)