Tallygaroopna will host the rematch, in what will be Nagambie’s first appearance this year, having copped the bye in the opening round.
The Redlegs defeated Nagambie 11.15 (81) to 9.6 (60) in last year’s decider, but with slight changes of personnel for both sides the outcome should go down to the wire.
On the sidelines, Nagambie president Barry Cryer and Tallygaroopna counterpart Neville Montgomery will be keeping a close eye on the positioning of the Auto Brake Service Trophy — a perpetual trophy contested by the two senior football sides since its inception in 1993.
Cryer is a life member of the Redlegs, having served on the committee for almost 20 years, before he moved to Nagambie and became tied up with Lakers — becoming club president last year.
‘‘I was president with Tally for a while and I moved to Nagambie in 1988, but still stuck around at the Tally football club, but now I’m at Nagambie as club president,’’ Cryer said.
‘‘In 1993 myself (ABS Shepparton) and Millers Transport started sponsoring a trophy between the football sides we both supported.
‘‘It was a staple between the two sides for a while, but there was a bit of a hiatus a few years back, but it’s been a lot of fun and it’s turned into a fun little rivalry.
‘‘The main thing is to promote the game now and continue it for future generations, hopefully it can help out country footy and netball.’’
Montgomery said the trophy had gained another level of importance and relevancy with Cryer at the helm of Nagambie.
‘‘Now it’s become much more relevant with Barry becoming Nagambie’s president, people can put a face to the trophy, it’s fantastic for the two communities,’’ Montgomery said.
Shepparton United’s two under-14 sides will be battling it out at 9am before the fixtures begin, which means all football starting times will be pushed back 30 minutes.
‘‘The president of Shepparton United junior football Jason Ritchie and myself decided it would be a great idea to try jel the two clubs together and make a connection with the younger players,’’ Montgomery said.
‘‘We’re just trying to make sure that everyone can play a game of football, we don’t want to see anyone miss out.’’
Quizzed about the continuation of the trophy, Cryer believes there is no time limit.
‘‘As long as I’m still following the football, there’s no time limit really,’’ Cryer said.
‘‘If there are still people around to lift it up, it’ll keep going.’’
