And while the winter season of football has wrapped up, there’s still one more decisive contest to play in 2022.
In another welcome sign that life is returning to normal, the second annual City Slickers vs Country Bumpkins AFL Masters Challenge, a clash between the Eastern Warriors and Echuca-Moama United Emus, will take place in Moama this weekend.
Bragging rights remain with the Echuca side, which comfortably accounted for the visitors back in 2019, but the Eastern Warriors are younger and more mobile than they were last time.
Craig Rosendale, who played for the Echuca side and also represented the Warriors while living in Melbourne, expects it to be an enthralling contest.
He has watched the Echuca side training and thinks the Emus are up and about, particularly with the inclusion of a number of quality players.
They are certainly approaching the game with a positive mindset, and a desire to once again be victorious over their city cousins.
Key utility for the Warriors Matt Devenish said he was hoping a more refined approach could help his side give the Emu’s a run for their money.
“It’s been a long season,” Devenish said.
“For some of the boys they just want to let what remains of their hair down on the trip away.
“But we’ve added some younger players with real talent to our side. I think we’ll give a better account of ourselves this time around.”
Time will tell who will come out on top, but the local team — more familiar with the conditions and perhaps a younger outfit overall — looks primed to go in as favourite.
Regardless of who wins, the Eastern Warriors are looking forward to once again enjoying the hospitality of the hosts in the after-match function, which will provide a great opportunity to swap stories about dodgy hamstrings and moments of past glory.
After a three-year break, footy will undoubtedly be the winner.
The Emus and Warriors will face off at Jack Eddy Oval in Moama at 1pm on Saturday, October 9.
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