Murray, Bendigo: Congupna recruits Kyle Mueller and Billy Cooper star in opening round

Country footy has kicked off for another season with big crowds on Good Friday watching games in the Murray, Ovens and Murray and Bendigo leagues. See who won.

Congupna recruits Kyle Mueller and Billy Cooper have fired in a lopsided Murray league grand final replay with The Road storming to a 58-point win over reigning premier Mulwala.

Kyabram recruit Kyle Mueller finished with six goals with only inaccuracy preventing him having an even bigger bag and Cooper dazzled in the midfield after being recruited from Tatura.

Mueller booted more than 50 goals in the Goulburn Valley league last year and captained Kyabram to an A grade cricket grand final win last weekend.

Kyle Mueller, front, playing for Kyabram in the Goulburn Valley league last year. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Cooper also played nine games with Richmond’s VFL team last year, but will be full-time with Congupna this year.

A third Goulburn Valley league recruit, Isaih Jones from Shepparton Swans, also figured in the best players for Congupna, which is starting the season without star player BJ Squire due to groin surgery.

Congupna lost the grand final to Mulwala last year by 33 points and has had a poor record at the reigning premiers’ home ground for more than a decade.

Mulwala had some notable absentees from its grand final line-up including dual O’Dwyer Medal winner Jackson Gash, Zechariah Cuppens and Harley Middleton.

Collingwood 201 premiership player Dayne Beams had a quiet debut match for Mulwala.

Also winning on Good Friday were Nathalia, Moama, Numurkah and Finley, which beat arch rivals Deniliquin at Deniliquin by 42 points.

BENDIGO

Castlemaine coach Michael Hartley has booted five goals on debut to help steer his new club to a 69-point win against Maryborough in the Bendigo league.

Maryborough, which was winless last season, stunned the resurgent Magpies when it led by three goals midway through the second term.

Hartley, who joined Castlemaine from Goulburn Valley club Seymour, had four of his five goals by halftime when his team hit the lead.

After the break, Castlemaine kicked 12 goals to two with Bailey Henderson also booting five goals.

Henderson alternated between Castlemaine and VFL club Werribee last year, but is full-time in the BFL this season and is already being touted as one of the main contenders for the Michelsen Medal.

OVENS AND MURRAY

Wangaratta Rovers have upstaged old foes and flag fancy Wangaratta by 12 points in their Good Friday clash.

Stuart Booth sealed the win with a goal on the run for Rovers, who had led by 28 points at halftime.

Wangaratta had closed to within six points with back-to-back goals from key forwards Michael Newton and Callum Moore early in the final term.

The Wangaratta duo finished with three goals each, but the Magpies are without coach Ben Reid, who has retired after an injury-cruelled end to last season.

Carlton recruit Lochie O’Brien had 28 possessions on debut for Rovers, one more than coach Sam Murray, who spent the bulk of the match in the midfield after being a permanent small defender in his previous seasons at the club.

Wangaratta Rovers coach Sam Murray returned to the midfield in the club’s big win over Wangaratta on Good Friday. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Will Christie starred in the ruck for Rovers in the absence of Goulburn Valley recruit Tom McDonnagh, who may not play this season due to a back injury.

Northern Territory recruit Kieran Parnell starred in defence for the Rovers who lost captain Tom Boyd to injury in the third term.

Wangaratta Rovers beat Wangaratta in the corresponding match last year before the Magpies turned the tables mid-year with an 83-point thrashing.

Wodonga Raiders have beaten Lavington by six points with a late goal to Tom Bracher sealing the win.

The Raiders had led by six goals midway through the second quarter before Lavington mounted a final term charge by booting goals including a long-range goal from Connor Willis to put it in front.

Originally published as Murray, Bendigo: Congupna recruits Kyle Mueller and Billy Cooper star in opening round