Country footy: Picola District League to resume with Victorian clubs

Despite restrictions, a country footy league near the border will resume games this weekend under a bold makeshift plan.

Picola District League clubs will be back in action this weekend. Photo: Jerilderie Football Netball Club.

One of the state’s northern-most footy leagues is hauling all its games over the border into NSW this weekend, to escape the vices of Victoria’s lockdown rules.

In a bold move, the Picola and District League has announced it will go ahead with games, despite restrictions in regional Victoria limiting players to training only.

It means the country competition involving NSW and Victorian footy sides can resume this weekend including a match up between two Victorian sides.

Picola and District League officials announced the makeshift plan, declaring it “the best option” for the league.

Under current Victorian government regulations, community sport for adults is limited to training only, including in regional areas.

“Following (the) announcement from the Victorian State Government, consultation with numerous stakeholders including PDFNL clubs and after much deliberation, the PDFNL board wishes to announce matches have been scheduled to be played this weekend,” the league said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, the current pandemic provides many challenges and although far from ideal, the PDFNL board believes utilising the ability to play matches this weekend is the best option for the PDFNL.

“In line with state restrictions no person from metro Melbourne is to attend or participate.”

Officials have managed to shift all games north into NSW with the match between Tungamah and Yarroweyah the only one to feature two Victorian clubs.

A venue for their match is still to be determined.

Saturday’s PDFNL fixture

Berrigan v Kantandra

Tungamah v Yarroweyah

Tocumwal v Picola United

Deni Rovers v Waaia

Jerilderie v Strathmerton

Blighty v Katunga

Mathoura v Katamatite

Bye: Rennie

Murray League to head north

While this weekend’s Murray League games have been put on the back burner, when the competition resumes next weekend all matches will also be played in NSW.

League officials announced on Thursday night, games would be spilt across two days on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

Saturday games: Cobram v Barooga at Barooga, Nathalia v Mulwala at Mulwala, Deniliquin v Finley, Moama v Echuca United.

Sunday games: Congupna v Numurkah at Mulwala, Rumbalara v Tongala at Moama.

Goulburn Valley League season shortened

The Goulburn Valley League season will now run for 16 rounds instead of 18 matches.

Games which were meant to be played on June 5 and 12 have now been cancelled as officials aim to get up and running again on June 19.

The grand final is still set to be played on September 26, the day after the AFL’s big day.