THE Ovens and Murray is expected to decide a venue for next year’s interleague clash against Goulburn Valley later this week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
League officials were surprised to be given hosting rights for the May 13 showdown with general manager Sean Barrett saying the competition would look at all options.
It expected to play at Shepparton due to the Goulburn Valley travelling last season and being the higher ranked league in the AFL Victoria Community Championships.
“Most people were working on the expectation that the match would be hosted by the GV so it caught us by surprise a little,” Barrett said.
“We hadn’t discussed it as a board because of that.
“It will be great for the league to host it particularly against the GV who are our closest rivals.
“Having a home advantage will be fantastic.”
The interleague was expected to be discussed during last night’s annual general meeting while Ovens and Murray and Goulburn Valley officials will meet later this week.
Wangaratta’s Norm Minns Oval may be ruled out with Werribee in the mix to play a VFL match at Norm Minns Oval on the same weekend.
The Tigers are looking to transfer home matches with a major redevelopment on the agenda at Avalon Airport Oval at Chirnside Park.
The Ovens and Murray made the road-trip to Warrnambool and thrashed Hampden this year while Goulburn Valley went down to Essendon and District in Melbourne.
Goulburn Valley coach Luke Morgan isn’t fazed by the prospect of playing away from Deakin Reserve.
‘‘Going by previous years and the way it’s been structured, I’m not surprised at all,’’ Morgan told Shepparton News.
‘‘We travelled to Geelong (in 2013) when we were the higher-ranked team, but they (Ovens and Murray) did have to go all the way to Warrnambool last year.
‘‘For myself and Benalla-based people, it’s actually quicker to go to Wangaratta, if it was to be played there, but it doesn’t faze any of us where we play.
‘‘It’s a big game (against Ovens and Murray) no matter what and it’s great to officially have that confirmation of where we’re playing.’’
Albury hosted the league’s last interleague match in 2015 when Brendan Fevola’s side lost by 10 points to Peninsula.
The Ovens and Murray is yet to announce its coaches for next year’s campaign although Darrell Spencer and Jon Henry are likely to share the role again.