The state league competition announced their 2017 fixture on Wednesday, with the Murray Bushrangers to host a TAC Cup game for a double header at the Wangaratta Showgrouds.

Werribee Tigers general manager Mark Penaluna said a game in the North-East had been on their agenda with their own home ground ruled out for the season as it undergoes a $12 million redevelopment.

“We put in a request to have a game in Wangaratta early in the fixturing process, and we're deligted the VFL has allowed it to happen,” he said.

“We've got a very strong connection with the Murray Bushrangers, we've been closely aligned with them since around 2008.

“We've had a lot of former Bushrangers and players from the area come through the club, so we're looking to really strengthen that relationship.”

While the round five match on May 13 is on the same weekend at the Ovens and Murray's interleague clash with the Goulburn Valley League, Penaluna said he had high hopes for a strong crowd.

“I think it'll be well patronised,” he said.

“We think of the Ovens and Murray and other leagues further north as untapped potential for in terms of talent, so it’ll be good for us to get up there.

“Collingwood have offered to assist in getting their members to the game.”

Wangaratta Magpies president Col McClounan said the game was a win for the club.

“We're really pleased to be hosting this game, it's something we've been working on for a while,” he said.

“We've been trying to develop a few of these sorts of games, so it's nice to see the project finally coming into fruition.

“We're pleased to work with Werribee, given their links to the Bushrangers and the Ovens and Murray.

“With Collingwood coming to Wangaratta for the AFL community camp in February and then back again with the VFL in May, it’s a great result for footy in our town.” 

McClounan said he was hopeful a successful VFL match at their venue in 2017 might lead to more state league football being played outside of the state capital.

“You always endeavour to create links like this, we’ve successfully held AFL games in the region over the last seven or eight years,” he said.

“We’ve got such good facilities now, and being able to link it with the Bushies game is an added bonus.

“You’d think they see the value in being able to watch high level talent playing up here.”  

A venue has not yet been set for the interleague cash with Goulburn Valley.