Lancaster will be looking to go one better in the KDL this season, after a heartbreaking preliminary final defeat to Shepparton East in 2024.
This year promises to be a season of interesting developments for Kyabram District Football Netball League as previously dominant sides look to maintain superiority, while a slew of up and comers are ready to rock the boat.
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The 2025 season is set to begin on Saturday, April 5 with six games to get footy fans salivating.
Due to Dookie United’s departure from the competition to join Picola District Football Netball League, Rushworth will have the opening bye, giving the side an extra week to prepare for the season ahead.
Defending champion Murchison-Toolamba will be after a statement opening game against Girgarre, with the Kangaroos looking to turn their fortunes around following a disappointing 2024.
Grand final runner-up Shepparton East should settle into 2025 relatively unscathed, especially as it faces last season’s wooden spooner Undera.
Perhaps the rightful runner-up and second placed home and away finisher Lancaster fell two steps short of completing a dream flag treble in 2024, but will have the opportunity to get on the right foot against Merrigum in the opening round.
The closest contest in terms of last season’s home and away placing will be between Tallygaroopna and Stanhope who finished sixth and seventh, respectively.
Nagambie will be looking to take its talents a couple of steps further this season after a semi-final berth in 2024 and will face a Violet Town side that barely kept itself out of a bottom finish last season.
Avenel and Longwood will be another interesting game to start the season as Longwood wasn’t far off making finals and Avenel went out in the elimination final.
After the highs of last season Girgarre is out to defend its A-grade netball crown starting this week.
In netball, the Murchison-Toolamba and Girgarre A-grade clash takes the opposite slant, with the Kangaroos going in as the defending champions.
Beaten grand finalist Lancaster will be hopeful of a positive start as it hosts last year’s 10th-placed finisher Merrigum.
Two finals sides, Nagambie and Violet Town are set for what could be the highlight fixture of the round at Nagambie Recreation Reserve.
A pair of mid-table sides from 2024, Tallygaroopna and Stanhope will each look to build on last year’s performances when they face off in round one.
On paper, Shepparton East will be favoured for an opening day win against Undera, while fringe finals side from last year, Avenel, has a kind first round draw taking on Longwood, which earned three victories last year.
League operations manager Michael Houston said the league had seen an increase in junior numbers this year.
“We've increased the numbers in the under-15s competition to nine teams,” he said.
“We've got 11 teams participating in the under-18s and so that's exciting to have so many kids playing football.”
“(Juniors) have been a focus of the executive and the clubs, to try and increase in that junior space and help for future numbers in their senior space.”
