Country footy: Ovens and Murray League releases 2023 fixture

The 2023 Ovens and Murray league fixture is littered with monster clashes and special days. These are our 10 must watch games.

Get your calendar ready, next year’s Ovens and Murray Football Netball League fixture has been released.

The competition has announced an 18-round competition, which will start on April 1 and end with the grand final on September 24.

Lavington and Wodonga will start the season in a stand-alone game.

You can view the draw here.

We’ve come up with the 10 games you can’t miss.

Steve Johnson will coach his first game with Yarrawonga in April next year. Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Yarrawonga v Albury – Round 1, April 9

Steve Johnson’s debut game as coach.

The former Geelong star, who takes over as Yarrawonga coach, starts his tenure with a match against the most successful club of the past decade, the Tigers.

The Tigers will have a point to prove as well.

After making every grand final from 2009 to 2018, they’ve missed out the last two.

It will be the perfect test to see where the Pigeons stand under their new coach.

Lavington v Corowa-Rutherglen – Round 2 – April 15

For the first time in years the Kangaroos were able to knock off the Panthers away from home, in the opening game of the 2022 season.

The loss would eventually cost Lavington a spot in the finals.

Can Corowa-Rutherglen repeat the upset result or will the Panthers come out and make amends for the loss at home?

Will the Wangaratta Magpies go back-to-back? Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Yarrawonga v Wangaratta – Round 3, April 22

A grand final replay as two former AFL coaches do battle with each other for the first time at local level.

Wangaratta coach Ben Reid will take on new Yarrawonga mentor Steve Johnson on April 22.

It will be Johnson’s third game in charge, so it will be interesting to see if he can deliver some revenge after the Magpies won the premiership.

The Wodonga Raiders will look to improve next year. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Wodonga v Wodonga Raiders – Round 3, April 25

Two rivals with plenty of prove in 2023.

The Bulldogs will be looking to bounce back into finals after being close last season, missing by two games.

The Raiders so far have been on a recruiting spree, signing a host of players as they look to get out of the bottom two.

When you add this game is on Anzac Day it adds a little bit more momentum to what should be a memorable clash.

Albury v North Albury – Round 3, April 25

Another rivalry game on Anzac Day as Albury look to continue its dominance over North Albury.

North Albury have not beaten the Tigers in over 15 years.

Will 2023 be the year?

Myrtleford’s Tristan Lenaz up against Wangaratta Rovers Ryley Sharp. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Myrtleford v Wangaratta Rovers – Round 4, April 29

There’s no love lost between these two fierce rivals and this was on display in 2022.

Myrtleford came out on top in the two contests during the regular season but the Rovers had the last laugh, winning the elimination final to knock out the Saints.

Expect another close game when these two teams do battle early.

Wangaratta v Wangaratta Rovers – Round 10, June 25

One of the highlight matches in the split round with the Wangaratta rivals set to face off.

Both teams finished inside the top-four this season, so winning would not only bring bragging rights but crucial distance space between each other in the race for finals footy.

Wangaratta Magpies have won three of the past four matches between the two.

Wodonga Raiders v North Albury – Round 14, July 22

This could be a battle for the wooden spoon if both teams have similar campaigns next year to 2022.

Both teams split the meetings this year with the Raiders winning by one point in their final meeting of the year after kicking three final term goals.

Another close battle is expected.

Myrtleford’s Kurt Aylett this year. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Wangaratta v Myrtleford – Round 17, August 19

A game which could have major implications for both teams late in the season with a finals spot potentially on the line.

Myrtleford might need to win the game to get into the finals while for Wangaratta it could be a game where the team battles for the minor premiership.

It should also be close.

The last time these two teams played, the Magpies only won by seven points in a low scoring contest.

Lavington v Albury – Round 18, August 26

The last game of the home-and-away season could be one of the most important for both teams.

Lavington, with former Sydney Swan Adam Schneider as coach, should be one of the improvers next year after rebuilding this year with Albury always strong.

If these two are fighting for a spot in the finals, or a position in the finals, this match could decide plenty heading into September.

Both teams this year won one meeting each when the two teams played.