Expanded Central Murray league to introduce top-eight finals series in 2026
A major shake-up will see the Central Murray league introduce its first-ever top-eight finals series following a historic merger of two competitions.
An expanded Central Murray league next year will start with a “Round Zero” in late March featuring the two teams that played off in the last Golden Rivers grand final.
The competition that is bringing together 11 Central Murray clubs and five Golden Rivers clubs will start on March 28 with Swan Hill hosting Ultima and Tyntynder at home to Hay.
Each club will play everyone once in a 15-round home and away season and the grand final is set down for September 19.
Swan Hill is shaping as one of the league’s big improvers, but Ultima president Nathan Condely said the newcomer was “buzzing with excitement”.
“We are honoured to be part of ‘Round Zero’ against Swan Hill and couldn’t think of a better way to kick off this new era,” he said.
“With all the boys back at training, the club is buzzing with excitement as we enter the Central Murray.
“It will be a tough first game, but we are working hard to be ready for the challenge.”
There will be no matches on Anzac Day and another bye has been set down for July 4 for an interleague match against an opponent to be confirmed.
A top-eight has been locked in for 2026 and 2027.
The AFL’s top-eight structure until this year saw 1 v 4, 2 v 3, 5 v 8 and 6 v 7 play in the first week of finals.
The 17-team Central Highlands league uses the AFL top-eight format.
This season Central Highlands played a qualifying final and elimination final on both Saturday and Sunday.
Club volunteers will be stretched if teams are playing on the same day at different venues.
“This decision marks an exciting step forward for our growing league and reflects our commitment to providing opportunities, supporting club development, and creating an even more engaging competition for players, volunteers, families, and supporters,” Central Murray league manager Jessie Chesters said.
“The finer logistics and operational details of the new finals series will be worked through in consultation with clubs in early 2026.
“The league will also draw on the experience of other competitions currently operating a top-eight system including the Central Highlands league, to gather insights, feedback, and innovative approaches to ensure the series is fair, competitive, and engaging.
“This process will involve thinking outside the box to create the best possible outcome for players, clubs, and supporters.”
More finals will translate into more finals income from gate takings for the Central Murray league and potentially reduce club affiliation fees.
OVENS & MURRAY
More Sunday footy will be played in the Ovens & Murray league in 2026 with Myrtleford and North Albury to host games in addition to the traditional the Easter and Wangaratta Derby fixtures.
Myrtleford will play Yarrawonga on a Sunday in round 2 and North Albury hosts archrival Albury on Sunday in round 14 after Albury hosts next year’s Anzac Day fixture.
In response to Anzac Day falling on a Saturday in 2026, Albury-North Albury and Wodonga Raiders-Wodonga will be standalone games.
The grand final replay between Wangaratta Rovers and Wangaratta will take place on Good Friday when North Albury and Lavington will also play.
Albury will host its 150th year celebrations on the Kings Birthday weekend against Wodonga.
The O&M grand final will stay in its traditional timeslot of Sunday, September 20 — the weekend before the AFL grand final.
“Off the back of one of the more even seasons of football and netball in 2025, the O&M is incredibly excited to see what unfolds in 2026,” chairman David Sinclair said.
“The league also supports the increased commitment from clubs to trial alternative match days.
Sunday games and night fixtures are becoming more popular as clubs look to maximise their home games outside traditional timeslots, to showcase O&M football and netball to new audiences otherwise engaged on a Saturday afternoon.”
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