Maryborough Rovers and Royal Park to face before merger

Two country clubs will face each other for the last time before they amalgamate at the end of the season. Find out how each club feels about the contest.

They started the week as friends at the meeting table but on Saturday the Maryborough Rovers and Royal Park will be enemies for one last time.

The ultimate bragging rights will be on the table in the Maryborough Castlemaine league when the two Maryborough clubs face each other in football and netball at Hedges Park.

This Saturday’s clash will be the last time the Magpies and Tigers will face off before they join forces next year after making the announcement to amalgamate a couple of months ago.

The new team, which is in the process of being registered, will be called the Maryborough Giants after discussions were had with members, fans and each committee.

Earlier this week the working committee for the new club met to continue discussions about next year.

Now, for a short period of time, both teams will battle to claim another win.

A poster celebrating the last game between Maryborough Rovers and Royal Park. Picture: Maryborough Rovers Football Netball Club.

In senior football, both enter the clash with one win each this season.

“We’re really excited actually, from a committee point of view we’re excited to get together with everyone,” Royal Park president Kate Balzan said.

“The players, I think, it will be a bit mixed, thinking ‘oh my goodness I could be playing you next year’.”

It’s a similar feeling at the Maryborough Rovers.

“I’m pretty excited for it and I hope that everyone else on the day can see it,” Maryborough Rovers vice-president Mark Raven said.

“It will be a sad day for some, it will be an emotional day for some but I’m looking at it as an exciting day for what the future holds.

“Both clubs were in a position that we didn’t know what the future held so to actually know where we are heading that’s the main aim of why we’ve amalgamated, to sure up our futures and hold on to our past as well.”

It’s a big couple of weeks for the Rovers with the match against the Tigers on Saturday and former AFL player Bernice Vince to play as part of the Carlton Draft against Campbells Creek in their next contest on June 17.

It’s also a perfect opportunity to win back-to-back matches for the first time in years.

But the Rovers will have to overcome a poor record against Royal Park with the Magpies not beating the Tigers since 2015.

“Whether we knock them off, I’m not sure,” Raven said.

“They have the wood over us but this is our best opportunity to beat them.

“When we have had most of our players available we’ve been pretty competitive.”

Maryborough Rovers will be hoping for joy, rather than despair, which the club dealt with last year with losses throughout the season. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Rovers are expecting to be close to full strength but do have Billy Mahoney out after he suffered an ACL injury in round 2.

Royal Park also have players out but do welcome Jeremy Humm back.

Balzan said she expects a strong contest with both teams looking to get the final win between the two clubs.

“Both clubs haven’t had lots of success over the last few years, so there will be a chance for one team to have another win,” she said.

“They’ll both be out there trying to get the win that is for sure.

“But I hope there is the positiveness (of the merger) that comes with it.”

Raven added he hopes whatever happens on the field, stays on the field when the game is over.

“I think the battle will still be fierce,” he said.

“I hope the players, when the game is over, realise what the future holds.

“See that we move forward as a joint club and whatever happens as a club stays on the field.”

The game starts at 2.35pm.