Two local football-netball clubs will have sides compete in the first week of finals this weekend, with leagues across the region either commencing their post-season or in the final stages of the regular season.

Echuca returns to action in Goulburn Valley League after a break, taking on Shepparton United at Deakin Reserve.

Both senior football and A-grade netball clashes have similar circumstances surrounding them.

The Murray Bombers need wins in both codes to aid their pursuit of first, but should be challenged by two Demons outfits that are desperate for victories, both currently marginally adrift of the top six.

In the Murray league, only two local clubs are in action, with Tongala serving its second bye of the season.

Moama is up against Nathalia at Moama Recreation Reserve, with both clashes set to be major tests for the Magpies.

Moama must win the football fixture to keep its faint finals hopes alive, but is facing a Purples outfit sitting third and chasing a top two finish.

In netball, Nathalia is two games clear of its nearest challenger in first, offering the Magpies a stern challenge ahead of their finals campaign, with Carri Carter’s side also still in the hunt for a top two finish.

Elsewhere, Echuca United hosts Congupna at Echuca South Recreation Reserve, with both Eagles sides having contrasting expectations against The Road.

Congupna has already secured first in football and has only dropped points twice all season, though one of those occasions was against Echuca United in round 12.

While the underdog in that clash, the Eagles are expected to defeat the winless Road in A-grade netball as they aim to maintain eighth spot across the final two rounds.

While the GV and Murray leagues are still finishing up, Heathcote District Football Netball League and Picola District Football Netball League begin their finals series this weekend.

Two local sides will be competing in elimination finals across the two competitions.

Lockington-Bamawm United is taking on Heathcote at Elmore Recreation Reserve in senior football, the clash beginning at 2.15pm on Sunday, August 16.

The Cats enter as the lower-seeded side, but have had success against the Saints this season, having won their first meeting by 16 points.

The other Heathcote league matches this weekend, the qualifying finals, will be held at Barrack Reserve.

Meanwhile, Picola United’s netball outfit is up against Tocumwal at Tocumwal Recreation Reserve, the action beginning at 1.30pm on Saturday, August 15.

The Blues are underdogs against the Bloods, just scraping into the finals as an eighth seed and having only won two of their past eight regular season matches.

The other PDFNL elimination final matches this weekend will be held at Rennie Recreation Reserve.

Women’s/Girls’

With Moama’s women’s side knocked out of the Goulburn Murray Women’s and Girls’ League last week, all eyes will be on the Mowers’ youth girls this weekend as they attempt to take out the 2026 premiership against Shepparton United.

Moama is the reigning premier and dominated the regular season, though its one notable blemish was a stunning 100-0 loss to the Demons three weeks ago.

The two sides also faced off in last year’s decider, which the Mowers won by 26 points.

The grand final will take place at Moama Recreation Reserve on Sunday, August 16, with the first bounce at 12pm.

Elsewhere, Echuca United’s youth girls are concluding their season in the Central Victoria Football League, taking on Marong at Malone Park.

Soccer

Echuca-Moama Border Raiders men travel to Rotary Park this weekend to take on Deniliquin Wanderers in the Football Victoria Greater Bendigo League 2.

The side currently holds an eight-point advantage over Colts United atop the ladder and requires two wins from its last three matches to secure first.

Meanwhile, after their monumental win over first-placed Swan Hill last week, the Border Raiders women are off to Stanley Ave Reserve this weekend to take on Spring Gully United.

Echuca-Moama is back controlling its destiny, sitting second but with a game in hand on the leader, and will be favoured to make it four wins on the bounce against second-bottom Spring Gully.

Hockey

Echuca-Moama Hockey Club’s women’s side will look to notch a fourth win in five matches against Shepparton Strikers this weekend, the two sides facing off weeks before a likely semi-final match-up.

The men are favourites against a Mooroopna side winless and bottom of the ladder, with three points going a long way to aid the River Rats’ late-season push for finals.

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Thursday, 21st August 2031

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