Can Tongala be beaten?

After romping their way through the 2021 home and away season with a perfect 13-0 record, COVID-19 denied the Blues a chance to atone for their defeat in the 2019 decider and claim that elusive maiden Murray league crown.

But with star recruits Brock McLean and Ryan Nyhuis on board for 2022, Tongala presents as even more of a force than last year, a proposition that will rightfully frighten the remainder of the competition.

But football isn’t a game played on paper, with a worthy list of contenders set to clip at the Blues’ heels.

Mulwala has stocked up on its quality list and is ready to strike, adding the likes of Matt Gorman, Jamie Smith and Josh Tonna to a line-up that already features the deadly midfield duo of Jackson Gash and Bodhi Butts.

After consolidating on its rapid rise up the ladder in 2019, Congupna has an opportunity to stamp itself as a force with a young group ready to take the next step, while Rumbalara will without doubt thrill crowds with its exciting game plan and attacking flair.

Numurkah will be excited to roll out its new-look squad, with the addition of Jamason Daniels, Charlie Hill and Morrie Serra — and the return of Braydon Sutton — sure to shoot the Blues back towards finals contention.

And then there is five-time reigning premier Nathalia, which won’t be giving up its crown without a fight.

On the court the competition will be as tight as ever, with a number of teams capable of pushing for premiership glory.

Nathalia rocketed up the table last year and, with Emma McDonald back at the helm, the Purples look primed towards another premiership tilt.

Perennial powerhouse Rumbalara and an ultra-talented Deniliquin squad will once again be among the contenders, while 2019 premier Echuca United will be hoping to bounce back from an indifferent campaign last year.

MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE PAST 10 PREMIERS:

2019: Nathalia

2018: Nathalia

2017: Nathalia

2016: Nathalia

2015: Nathalia

2014: Rumbalara

2013: Echuca United

2012: Nathalia

2011: Deniliquin

2010: Moama

MURRAY NETBALL LEAGUE PAST 10 PREMIERS

2019: Echuca United

2018: Moama

2017: Moama

2016: Echuca United

2015: Echuca United

2014: Numurkah

2013: Mulwala

2012: Finley

2011: Mulwala

2010: Numurkah

PAST O’DWYER MEDALLISTS

2021: Coby McCarthy (Tongala)

2019: Jackson Gash (Mulwala)

2018: Brodie A’Vard (Barooga)

2017: Rhys Archard (Moama)

2016: Ned Morrison (Finley)

2015: Rhys Archard (Moama)

2014: Marcus Smith (Barooga)

2013: Ash Morris (Deniliquin)

2012: Rowan Priest (Echuca United)

2011: Ryan Bongetti (Cobram)

PAST A-GRADE BEST-AND-FAIRESTS

2021: Emily Taverna (Moama)

2019: Elenoa Naimalua (Rumbalara)

2018: Tessa Bruni (Cobram)

2017: Amelia Wyatt (Deniliquin)

2016: Jessie Barnes (Rumbalara)

2015: Alicia White (Tongala)

2014: Tamara Skinner (Numurkah)

2013: Leanne Rawson (Numurkah)

2012: Renee Judd (Numurkah)

2011: Rebecca White (Deniliquin)

LADDER PREDICTION — FOOTBALL

1 Tongala

2 Mulwala

3 Nathalia

4 Congupna

5 Cobram

6 Numurkah

7 Rumbalara

8 Moama

9 Deniliquin

10 Barooga

11 Finley

12 Echuca United

LADDER PREDICTION — NETBALL

1 Rumbalara

2 Nathalia

3 Deniliquin

4 Moama

5 Tongala

6 Numurkah

7 Echuca United

8 Congupna

9 Finley

10 Mulwala

11 Barooga

12 Cobram