Regional Victoria country footy fixtures released for 2023 by Richard Jones

All five central Victorian football and netball leagues have released their fixtures for the 2023 season.

The most significant feature is the inclusion of former Golden Rivers FNL club Nullawil into the North Central league. The Maroons follow Sea Lake-Nandaly from the Mallee region into the NCFNL, although with a few seasons time difference.

The Tigers joined the NCFNL in 2016 and won the footy flag three years later, in 2019, the season before Covid-19 disrupted everything. They defeated Birchip-Watchem 10.13 (73) to 8.6 (54).

Meanwhile the Nullawil Maroons were Golden Rivers FNL premiers in 2018-19-2022: the last three completed years.

The NCFNL now boasts nine clubs requiring a bye every home-and-away weekend until the end of August.

In the Bendigo FNL the season kicks off on 15April allowing the footballers, netballers and club volunteers a sport-free Easter. BFNL manager Cameron Tomlins hasn’t completely shelved plans for an inter-league clash on either 20 or 27 May although pre-Christmas discussions with traditional rivals Ballarat didn’t go far. The BFNL under-17 and Open rep netball teams will contest the 2023 Netball Victoria Championships this year.

The Heathcote District FNL is similarly placed with inter-league footy. President Peter Cole when releasing his league’s draw said inter-league footy in 2023 was still a distinct possibility.

But back to the North Central league. With nine clubs now competing the finals will remain as a Top Four series, with clubs competing over four weekends and the grand final set for 16 September.

The nine clubs voted unanimously for the retention of a Top Four.

Nullawil faces a tough entry into the NCFL. The Maroons play 2022 premiers the Birchip-Watchem Bulls and then host St Arnaud at home in round two. Then the Maroons have the bye in round three, 29 April.

Netball premiers Wedderburn play their round one match on 15 April at home against Charlton.

And in case you’re wondering how far the footballers and netballers will have to travel for matches against Nullawil, here’s a rough guide. Wycheproof is reasonably close. Just 26km. But then it’s a 38km drive to Birchip, 51km north to Sea Lake and 55km to Charlton.

Its 66km to reach Donald, 73km to Boort but then 87km to Wedderburn and a whopping 90km drive to land in St Arnaud.

I know the Mallee area a little bit. Each October we drive through Wedderburn, Charlton, Wycheproof, Nullawil and Sea Lake on the way to visit friends in Mildura. Nullawil is a tiny, little village. Just a couple of shops and a pub on the right-hand side of the road as you pass through heading north, with a huge decorated wheat silo on the left the only building opposite.

Birchip-Watchem will be at home in round five at Birchip for the grand final re-match against Donald. But unlike Bendigo and Heathcote, the NCFNL won’t be looking for an inter-league clash this year. Chairman Tim Lockhart said there wasn’t the interest from players to push for an inter-league match.

The BFNL’s bumper first round on 15 April features a re-match between 2012 grand finalists Gisborne and Strath Storm at the Gardiner Reserve, South Bendigo kicking off play at its new home ground at Harry Trot Oval in Kennington against Eaglehawk, while 2022 netball grand finalists Sandhurst and Kangaroo Flat meet at the QEO.

And Golden Square will celebrate their star captain Jack Geary’s 200^th game at home against Kyneton. Not only has Geary captained the Square he’s also been country Victoria’s skipper in inter-league matches.

In round three Sandhurst will host the Square at the QEO in the battle for the Ron Best Memorial Cup while South will be at home against the Hurst in round five in the annual Graeme Wright Memorial Cup. The annual Indigenous Round will be played in round seven on 3 June with finals hopefuls Eaglehawk and Kyneton matched up, while the King’s Birthday round on 10 June features South at home against reigning premiers Gisborne.

The return Strathfieldsaye Storm vs Gisborne match will be played at the Storm’s Tannery Lane oval in round 10 on 24 June. Finals start out on 2 and 3 September with the qualifying and elimination finals that weekend. Grand final day is set for 23 September.

Footy and netball starts in the Loddon Valley on Saturday 1April. Of the five central Victorian leagues the LVFNL has the earliest start, meaning its grand finals will be played on 9 September.

Marong and Maiden Gully-YCW clubs are still both in the LVFNL after their interest in joining the Heathcote league was quashed late last year. So there’s still nine clubs in the LVFNL.

There will be no under-18 footy competition this season. Clubs which have the numbers will play in a new AFL Central Victoria under-18 competition.

With farms doubling in size and rural farming and nearby townships’ populations in freefall – down by 50 per cent in some locations – most LVFNL clubs haven’t fielded under-18 footy sides for some years.

Premier footy side Marong won’t meet its 2022 grand final opponent until round eight on Bridgewater’s home ground, 27 May. Netball grand finalists from 2022 Maiden Gully-YCW and Mitiamo will clash in round three on the premiers’ home court at Maiden Gully’s Marist College facilities. With grand finals to be played on Saturday, 9 September, they’ll be the earliest in the region.

Still to come: the highlights of the 2023 draws in the Heathcote District and Maryborough-Castlemaine Football and Netball Leagues.