IT’S been 197 days between the last game of the 2024 Ovens and King season and the first of the 2025 season, but at long last it’s here.
Round one of the O&K could not be a bigger deal, with blockbuster fixtures on the cards for both football and netball on Saturday, 29March.
All eyes will be on the senior football showdown between Greta and Bright, a grand final rematch to kick off the new season.
Greta were the victors in their last fated meeting, kicking away late to win the flag by 98 points back in September, but Bright won’t be deterred.
With a new coach, a beefed up midfield and some truly class players on their list, the Mountain Men will be amped up to prove to the reigning premiers they’re not the only good team in the comp.
Latest Stories
Over on the netball courts, the A grade fixture will be an interesting one.
The Blues lost some key players during the off season, but have a history of finding a way to win, while Bright will be eager to put their hard work at preseason into practice.
The Greta-Bright fixture is an enticing one, but it’s far from the only red-hot match on the cards.
Over at Whorouly, the Lions play host to Bonnie Doon for their opening match of the year.
New Whorouly coach Michael Newton has brought a spark to the Lions, and has bolstered the list with some gun players from the O&M and further afield.
The Lions haven’t beaten the Bombers in senior footy since 2019, and this new cohort will be determined to put a stamp on the league against Bonnie Doon, who are once again favourites to feature in finals after several exceptionally strong years.
The A grade netball will be a great match to watch with the Bombers coming off their first O&K A grade flag against the always competitive Lions.
The Bombers are working with a new list after some movement in the off season, and will be trying to penetrate the iron-clad defensive structures the Lions employ.
Over at Goorambat, the Bats take on King Valley in what should be an extremely even contact across all grade of football and netball.
Both clubs will be around the same mark in the A grade netball and senior footy, and will be eager to put some wins on the board early in the year.
It’s a similar story in the football for Tarrawingee and Benalla All Blacks, who go head to head at the Kennell on Saturday.
The Panthers have been rebuilding through the offseason, reintroducing a team into the reserves comp while trying to find consistency in their senior ranks.
For their part, the Bulldogs will be eager to put last season behind them and start anew, with no better target in their sights than Benalla.
The Bulldogs will also be firing on the netball court, their A grade squad looking impressive through the offseason, while Benalla will look for cohesion among their new players.
To round out the opening week of the session, Milawa plays host to North Wangaratta.
The Hawks will be keen to start the season off well after missing out on senior finals last season by a game, while the Dees want to show the competition they’re still a force to be reckoned with.
The netball will be hotly contested as well, with both sides unsure of how the other will shape up.
Moyhu will take the bye in the first round, but will be watching how the competition plays out among their opponents.
Regardless of where you are, there’s guaranteed to be some scintillating football or netball near you.
The Ovens and King is back – game on.
Start times
15 and under netball - 9:10am
17 and under netball - 10:30am
B reserve netball - 11:50am
B grade netball - 1:10pm
A grade netball - 2:30pm
Reserves football - 12:00pm
Seniors football - 2:00pm
