Ovens and Murray Football League sees 25 Melbourne players return

That restriction was lifted by the Victorian Government on Wednesday, robbing the league of some of its best players, including Wangaratta's Callum Moore, Myrtleford's Matt Munro and Wangaratta Rovers' Tyson Hartwig.

And while the league was delighted to resume last weekend after a month-long break due to the interleague bye and COVID, some teams were severely impacted.

"To have them back is a massive positive and something we're all hanging out for," Myrtleford co-coach Jake Sharp revealed.

No team was as decimated as the Saints and they fell to Albury by 14 goals.

And nobody will be more relieved than league officials as the prospect of another weekend without Melbourne players, admittedly from something totally out of their control, had the potential to damage the competition.

Three clubs - Wangaratta, Rovers and Myrtleford - carry the bulk of the players who head north, but many are local products.

"They have been a big part of our club for well over five years who travel back and have done the hard years (when we weren't playing finals)," Sharp explained.

"It says a lot about the club and a lot about the individuals, the investment that they have shown over a period of time doesn't go unnoticed at our club.

"That's why we felt so gutted when we couldn't play with them last week."

Sharp will miss the away clash against North Albury after hyperextending his knee against the Tigers.

The Saints and Rovers have seven players back from Melbourne respectively, while Wangaratta has five, including Richmond VFL player Brad Melville.

Albury's home game against Rovers is the first blockbuster since the resumption.

Some clubs have sprung selection surprises with Raiders' coach Jarrod Hodgkin named, despite expecting to miss more time with a knee issue, while Rovers named Sydney-based Ryan Hebron as an emergency.

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And Wodonga named ex-Southport player Charlie Ford for his debut.

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