Sam Reid to coach Goulburn Valley league in interleague

Two of the leading country footy leagues in the state will battle again next year. Here is what we know as one team announces its coaches.

An extra game will be played when two country football-netball league powerhouses face off in interleague in 2024.

The Goulburn Valley and Ovens and Murray competitions have confirmed an under-15 netball game had been added to the fixture for next season.

This year saw the concept return after it was forced to be on the sidelines with Covid impacting leagues across the state.

Ovens and Murray won in three of the four grades, seniors and under-18 footy and under-17 netball, with Goulburn Valley (GV) claiming the open netball match.

“We will play host the Ovens and Murray League next year and will see seniors and under 18 teams compete in football and open, 17 and under and for the first time, 15 and under compete in the netball,” GV chair Jacqui Hudgson said.

“This is another great opportunity for players to represent their league.”

Sam Reid, playing for GWS, has been named as the coach of the Goulburn Valley interleague side. Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images

In senior football, former AFL player and Echuca’s Sam Reid will coach the team alongside Mark Lambourn who led the team this year.

Hudgson said planning for next year had already taken place.

“We welcome Sam Reid to the helm and he will take on a co-coaching role with Mark Lambourn who led our Seniors earlier this year,” she said.

“The full board met with both Sam and Mark several weeks ago, and we were impressed with their plan for interleague in 2024.

“The full board has unanimously approved their appointment and we are excited to see what they will do with the team.

“The board is currently working on all other coaching announcements and hopes to have these finalised early in the new year.”

The announcement came as the GVL released their fixtures for next season.

The season will consist of 18 rounds with the 12 teams to face each other at least once with some teams playing each other twice.

There is only going to be one grand final rematch next year with Echuca to face Kyabram at home in round 11.

The season starts on April 6 with the Shepparton Swans to face Euroa, Shepparton Bears taking on Mansfield, Benalla facing Rochester, Echuca battling Shepparton United, Kyabram taking on Mooroopna under lights and Tatura facing Seymour.

Finals start on August 31 with the grand final to be held on September 22.