Gus’ sports snaps

If Moama Football Netball Club is to make a move from the Murray Football Netball League to another league, it’s not going to happen next season.

And it might never happen.

President Scott Slater admitted at the weekend his club had already had talks with the Goulburn Valley and Bendigo leagues about a possible transfer to either of these competitions in the future.

But he warned ‘‘it’s still a long way off and won’t be happening next year and maybe anytime soon’’.

Slater said a working committee of six, comprising three club and three neutral officials, was undertaking a feasibility study to explore and investigate all options open to his club.

‘‘We are on the end of a five-year plan and are looking to do what is best for our club for the future,“ he said.

‘‘Moama is more of a rural city than a country town these days and we have to plan for what is best for our club for the future.“

Slater said a possible move to either the GVL or Bendigo would still come down to what was best for the club long term and the decision would be in the hands of Moama’s members.

‘‘When the time comes, they (members) will get the final say from the options available or whether to stay put, but that’s a fair way off.

‘‘There are age group differences in the netball grades in both the GVL and Bendigo from the Murray league and the best options have to be explored because a lot of our netballers would have to go and play elsewhere and that’s not what we would want or what our club is all about.’’

After an exodus of players this season, Moama was expected to struggle, but under new joint coaches, Kyabram premiership player Liam Barrett and Jye Warren, the Magpies have won seven of their eight games and are sitting in second place on the ladder.

‘‘We have a got a lot of local players who started their careers with the club to come back this season and it’s been working out well so far,’’ Slater said.

Congupna stands out

I got to see the Murray league clash between reigning premier Congupna and second-placed Cobram two weeks ago and drew an opinion.

Congupna would hold its own in Goulburn Valley League.

And I’m talking about the top sides, not the bottom ones, which it would beat by handsome margins.

Congupna is a serious country footy side that plays an impressive brand of offensive footy, which Cobram discovered in its loss by more than 100 points.

That is a fair gap between the top side and the then-second top side, although Cobram is probably not Congupna’s main rival for this season’s flag.

There were excuses for Cobam’s loss, with two players, including its former AFL player Jackson Trengove, off the ground with injuries in the second quarter and not returning.

Congupna took full advantage of their departures after that and ran rampant in the second half.

The Road is obviously well coached and structurally has most bases in its team covered.

It has a powerful on-ball brigade led by ex-Shepparton East ruck ace Tom McCluskey, former Shepparton Swans star BJ Squires, Billy Cooper, Jack Norman and James Boyer, and a forward line that boasts several proven goal-kickers, including Kyle Mueller.

Its defence looks sound, with rapid movement of the ball and relentless running is a major key to its success.

All qualities I believe would hold it in good stead in better company.

GVL has to get its act together

GVL legend Des Campbell has gone on record as claiming his league’s commitment to interleague football has to improve in the wake of the GVL’s pummelling by the Ovens and Murray League.

If it can’t, Campbell says it’s a waste of time staging the costly clash.

Campbell said the O&M was obviously a lot more organised than the GVL and it showed out glaringly in the 88-point winning margin.

The GVL was skippered by Kyabram’s Aidan Robinson and the Bombers were also represented by two other of their younger players, Archie Watt and Charlie Barnett.

Rochy draws a crowd in the city

Rochester Football Netball Club has a big winner in its annual Melbourne Supporters’ Lunch.

This year’s event was held on Friday, May 23 at the Royal Melbourne Hotel on Bourke St and about 200 turned out.

Former Rochester footballers and netballers made up most of the crowd and Rochester local and media personality Brad McEwen compered the function.

One of the guest speakers was Hawthorn legend Michael Tuck, a seven-time Hawk best-and-fairest award winner and 426-game VFL legend, while comedian Dave Hughes provided the entertainment.

Call to track down premiership heroes

Four premierships will be celebrated by Kyabram Football Club on Saturday week (June 14), the day the Bombers host Shepparton Swans.

Three of the celebrations will feature GVL flag-winning Kyabram thirds teams of 1965, 1985 and 1995, while the 1975 senior side will also hold a 50-year premiership reunion.

Organisers have encountered problems contacting some players, particularly from the 1965 thirds team, and would be grateful if anyone knows how to contact any of the players below to get in touch with Greg Caldwell, who captained the side, on 0419 135 067.

The players are R. McKerrow, D. Arnold, B. Manison, R. Hyde, A. Green, M. Hazelman, D. Paynter and L. Arnold.

Running like the wind

Kyabram trainer Brent Thomson has unveiled an impressive type in trotter Wind Chaser, who won on debut at last week’s Kilmore meeting.

Driven by Ellen Tormey just off the pace, Wind Chaser mowed down his rivals in impressive style when he got into clear running in the home straight.

The bold-going Wind Chaser, who is by the Muscle Hill stallion Southwind Frank, is a half-brother to the extra smart trotter Cruisin Around (by Bacardi Lindy) a winner of 19 races and nearly $300,000 between 2015 and 2021.

Cruisin Around and Wind Chaser are out of the Wind Cries Maori mare Cloud Chaser, who won eight races when trained by Brent’s father, Russell.

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Thursday, 5th June 2025

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