Omeo and District Football Netball League begins its 2024 season this Saturday with clubs still looking to finalise lists in the final few days before the opening siren sounds.
Swifts Creek will unveil its 2023 pennant when it hosts Omeo Benambra in the local derby at the Creek.
The Demons have lost plenty of high end tale, mainly to North Gippsland Football League club, Cowwarr, but still have a nucleus of a good side under new coach Conor Harvey.
Josh Piper is the new coach at the Alpine Ranges, and has added experience in James Gibbs and Chris Wheeler.
Gibbs’ deeds at Bairnsdale are legendary. Fit and in the right frame of mind he might be the right man to take the Ranges to the pinnacle of the Omeo league.
Their is some speculation that prolific junior goalkicker Harry Warfe may also play at altitude, the lively small forward would be a handful for any backman in the ODFNL.
Lindenow South will host Bruthen, with both sides having restocked over the summer.
The Swampies welcome back former premiership coach and multiple best and fairest winner, Nathan Pollard as a player, with plenty of talk that goal kicking ace, Haydn Erfurth may join him.
Bruthen continue to build and add pieces to the puddle, last week adding Wy Yung duo Matt Arnold and Jan Cabaybay, who both look ideally suited to the 16-aside football that is played in the hills.
The final game features two sides that are rebuilding with Buchan hosting Swan Reach.
The Cavemen will put a young side on the park hoping to build on last year’s junior premiership success, while the Swans have been working hard in recent weeks ensuring that they have sufficient numbers to field a time.
Hopefully Swan Reach get the cattle required as a strong and viable ODFNL competition needs six strong and competitive sides out there doing their best each week.
Spectators will certainly learn more about all six teams this week and in the coming weeks when the ducks and drakes end and we see who is actually lining up for each team in 2024.
