Goulburn Valley-Ovens and Murray interleague POTM performances through the years

By Marcus Beeck

May 22, 2025

Perform well in the GVL-O&M interleague clash and your career can receive a big boost.

Where can a player-of-the-match performance in a game featuring the best-of-the-best get you?

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The News analyses where some of interleague’s stars of the previous few years have travelled to since their memorable performances in Goulburn Valley-Ovens and Murray clashes.

While the longevity of interleague can be debated, the effect it has on the region’s young gun footballers can’t be denied.

Perform on the big stage in purple and gold or black and yellow and it’s likely VFL recruiters will sit up and take notice.

Former Albury star Riley Bice dominated the nail-biting 2023 interleague clash, earning best-on-ground honours.

The following year he was playing for Werribee in the VFL; this year, he is a key part of AFL club Sydney Swans’ defence.

Bice’s rise appears to be extreme and meteoric, but similar trajectories are happening everywhere you look.

Seymour gun and star of last year’s interleague clash Riley Mason earned a spot on Collingwood VFL’s list after his impressive 2024 season and is now a strong chance to get picked up next week during the AFL’s Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

Kyabram’s Anthony Depasquale was a key part of GVL’s underdog victory last year and is now playing for Werribee, while 2024 O&M representative Ryan Eyers also plays for the Tigers and is a chance to get picked up in the mid-season draft.

Last year’s interleague player-of-the-match was Mansfield winger Harry Mahoney after his breakneck speed and deft touches broke the game open for GVL.

Since that day, Mahoney has been a mainstay in Collingwood VFL’s line-up; he only played one match at the level prior to his dominant interleague performance.

The 22-year-old said he had fond memories of GVL’s victory at Deakin Reserve last May.

“It was a great win to be a part of and it was pretty awesome that we were able to knock them off and break that drought,” Mahoney said.

“From (the game) we have formed some pretty close friendships; we have made some great mates along the way (through interleague) and, hopefully, we can talk about that interleague win for years to come.”

Now a nippy half-forward at the Magpies, Mahoney’s VFL commitments mean he won’t be able to feature for GVL this Saturday.

However, Mahoney’s absence from the game doesn’t mean his love and passion for interleague football has wavered.

“Interleague is an awesome thing and I hope they can keep it going,” he said.

“I know there are a lot of guys in the league, like myself, that take pride in being part of one of the premier competitions going around.

“I’ll be keeping a close eye on it and hopefully the boys can produce another win.”

Harry Mahoney (bottom right) loves what interleague did for his career and others. Photo by Megan Fisher

His performance on one of the biggest days on the region’s footballing calendar infused an extra level of confidence into the Eagle-Magpie.

Mahoney said he was hoping his career coulf follow a similar pathway to that of Bice and possibly a few of his Collingwood mates.

“(The BOG performance) definitely gave me some belief that I could crack it at that next level,” he said.

“That is another reason why I think interleague is so important; it’s great for giving younger guys, especially, exposure.

“You only have to look at the likes of Joey Richards, Riley Mason this year doing it, they have all come from playing rep footy.

“It’s a great way to gain exposure and it definitely helped me as well.”

Mahoney’s form at Collingwood this season has been impressive, averaging 15.3 disposals and kicking nine goals from seven games alongside his brother Max.

The young gun half-forward said his ambition to follow Bice and play at AFL level remained strong.

“I’ll throw my hat in the ring (for the mid-season draft),” he said.

“It’s an exciting time, especially for some guys at Collingwood, hopefully ‘Maso’ can get picked up; we are all behind him down there.

“I think it’s always good to have a goal for yourself to play at the highest level you can.

“That’s something I’m working towards, but also focusing on just enjoying my footy as well.”

So, who from GVL will stand up and perform this Saturday and prove themselves worthy of an opportunity at a higher level?

Will it be the dash of Jake Watts that dazzles? Is Cohen Paul ready to run and gun all day long? Or could Caidan Phillips prove he is ready to make a VFL defence his own?

All will be revealed at Wangaratta at 2.15pm Saturday.