Picola District Football Netball League releases 2024 fixture

Jan 4, 2024

The hunted: Far and away the team to beat, Waaia suffered only one defeat on its way to 2023 premiership glory. Photo by Megan Fisher

The crown jewel of the Southern Riverina sporting scene has unveiled its 2024 road map, with the Picola District Football Netball League fixture released at last.

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Fans had to wait after the other nearby competitions ― Goulburn Valley League, Murray Football Netball League and Kyabram District League ― released their schedules prior to Christmas.

Following a controversial return to the Picola frame, Tocumwal brings the league back to a 15-team set-up with a weekly bye.

The Bloods have even received a standalone season opener at home, taking on Berrigan in a Good Friday contest.

However, Tocumwal’s season will close earlier than anyone via a final-round bye unless a finals berth is locked in.

Mathoura and Picola United take centre stage on Easter Saturday to wrap up an AFL-like truncated opening round, with all four competing teams receiving byes over the following fortnight.

Round 11 will feature a big-time senior football grand final rematch when Waaia and Strathmerton collide with clear air in the regular season’s only Sunday affair on June 9, with the Bulldogs no doubt more than keen on revenge after falling four quarters short on home soil last year.

The Bombers will wait until round three at home to Picola United to unfurl the premiership flag, first opening their campaign at Katunga Recreation Reserve seven days beforehand.

On the courts, Deniliquin Rovers will once again seek to assert total supremacy after a perfect 2023 A-grade premiership run.

Having knocked off Katandra on the final day to claim the title, the Rovers and Kats will bide their time ahead of a main event encounter in the 18th and final round of regular season play on August 3.

Some quirks are notable within the schedule, such as Berrigan receiving two byes in the first four weekends off the back of the Saints’ season opener with Tocumwal.

The Picola league’s signature five-week finals format is in effect again.

Saturday and Sunday elimination finals are held in standalone timeslots on August 10 and 11 before qualifying finals follow suit on August 17 and 18.

As is the standard format, the Picola league will be among the first within the greater Goulburn Murray and cross-border region to wrap up its season, with 2024’s finale set for Rennie on Saturday, September 7.