After playing their last two interleague matches at Wangaratta’s Norm Minns Oval and Albury Sportsground, league officials are bracing themselves for a six-hour drive to Reid Oval for the fifth versus sixth match in the Victorian Country Championships.

The Ovens and Murray has never beaten Hampden away from home.

General manager Aaron McGlynn said yesterday a decision would only be made early next year.

“The odds are it will be Hampden’s home game, but nothing is 100 per cent set at this stage,” McGlynn said.

“AFL Victoria base it on history and the fact we played them at Wangaratta last year probably works against us.

“They have looked at double headers before and Kardinia Park has been mentioned, but they will only really start looking at it early next year.”

Hampden coach Chris McLaren said his team was eager to make amends for its humiliating 125-point loss to the Ovens and Murray last year.

“Last year wasn’t good enough,” McLaren said.

“The O and M really set themselves for that game 12 months ago.

“It would be nice to get them here or somewhere neutral.

“I think we would give them a good run.

“I would hope the players are keen.

“They are a powerhouse side, but I think we are closer to them than what most people think.”

Hampden thrashed an undermanned Murray 22.10 (142) to 6.9 (45) at Warrnambool on Saturday with a team made up of nine players aged 20 or under and 17 of the 22 aged 25 or under.

The Ovens and Murray is facing a rebuild with coach Brendan Fevola stepping down after two seasons and a host of experienced players like Brad Murray, Daniel Maher, Matt Pendergast and Craig Ednie set to weigh up their futures.

The disappointment of dropping down to fifth place is also likely to work against the league with player availability.

McGlynn said the league would discuss a replacement for Fevola in coming weeks.