Five Anzac Day country footy blockbusters and tips

A showdown between two undefeated Bendigo league teams headlines a big day and night of Anzac Day country footy action. See our preview of the best-five match-ups.

Some big country footy clashes are being played on Anzac Day in the Bendigo, Ovens & Murray, Sunraysia, Hampden and Gippsland leagues.

The Weekly Times has nominated the five best match-ups and who should win.

SOUTH BENDIGO v EAGLEHAWK, Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo

The call to make the South Bendigo-Eaglehawk clash a stand-alone Anzac Day fixture under lights at South’s old digs at the QEO has proved an inspired one with both teams making the perfect start to 2025.

Rejuvenated South couldn’t have made a better start with wins over last year’s runner-up Gisborne and beaten preliminary finalist Strathfieldsaye.

Eaglehawk sits on top of the ladder undefeated with a massive percentage following wins against Golden Square and Kangaroo Flat.

South Bendigo’s Joel Swatton has been in great early season form. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Fortuitously, Eaglehawk has VFL-aligned players Lachlan Walker and Max Kennedy available due to Coburg having a bye, but the third member of the Coburg connection, Jesse Corigliano, is still out injured.

Co-coach Clayton Holmes also returns from suspension for Eaglehawk to play his first match of 2025.

In the win against Gisborne, South introduced three more recruits, Cal Crisp, James Davies and Jesse Collins, but has lost former coach Steve Stroobants to suspension.

Prediction: South Bendigo 6 points

NORTH ALBURY v ALBURY, Bunton Park, North Albury

The two fierce Ovens & Murray rivals have been slugging it out on Anzac Day since the late 1990s.

North Albury squandered its best chance to beat Albury for the first since 2008 in the traditional fixture last year.

Young forward Josh Murphy could’ve been a Hopper hero forever, but his shot after the siren missed and North Albury lost by two points.

North Albury went on to reach the preliminary final last year and Albury missed finals for the first time since 2008.

North Albury coach Tim Broomhead. Picture: Tim Petts (supplied)

Albury suffered an uncharacteristic 110-point thrashing from Wangaratta Rovers on Good Friday.

North Albury has suffered a major early season blow with star forward Josh Minogue with a broken thumb, but the Albury midfield will be weakened by the loss of Fletcher Carroll, who is in concussion protocols.

Albury ruckman Isaac Muller, who previously coached North Albury, is also out with a foot injury.

Prediction: North Albury 15 points

TRARALGON v MORWELL, Traralgon Recreation Reserve

The old sparring partners go head-to-head under lights with Morwell’s ability to curb the star power of Traralgon captain Tye Hourigan to be a major factor in the outcome.

Hourigan booted six goals in their mid-season draw between the two clubs last year.

His goalkicking heroics were again on show last round when Traralgon came from nowhere to grab victory late against Moe following the opening round defeat to Leongatha at home when Dyson Heppell laced up for the Parrots.

Traralgon’s Tye Hourigan played a key role in the win against Moe last round. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Morwell is on top of the ladder with two wins against Drouin and Warragul.

The return of man-mountain Isaac Abas to Morwell from three seasons at Morwell East has been a big factor in the promising start to 2025.

Morwell made no changes from last game, but Traralgon has brought back Kade Marsh for Blair Roscoe.

Prediction: Traralgon 12 points

IMPERIALS v MILDURA, Brian Weightman Oval, Mildura

Imperials have made the perfect start to their flag defence with wins against Ouyen United and South Mildura and Mildura followed an opening round win against Red Cliffs with a loss to Robvinvale-Euston.

Imperials have played on their 36-player points limit in both victories with Queensland recruit Jai Fitzpatrick making an impressive start.

Ryan Hards, who has returned to Imperials from Donald, is set to play his first match since recovering from a hip injury.

Former Carlton player Sam Kerridge is coach of Sunraysia league club Mildura. Picture: Supplied

Jayden Fox has kicked 16 goals in two matches and is on track to eclipse the 58 goals he booted last year for the eventual premiers.

Mildura coach Sam Kerridge is under an injury cloud heading into the match, but former SANFL player Brendan Dew is settling in nicely with 27 possessions last game.

Prediction: Imperials 32 points

HAMILTON v PORTLAND, Melville Oval, Hamilton

After a winless stretch dating back to Anzac Day 2023, Portland has made a flying start to the Hampden league season.

Knocked over Koroit in round 1 by 53 points and followed up with a 34-point win against Terang-Mortlake.

Hamilton is winless, but led Warrnambool at three quarter time in round 1 before going down by six goals.

Former Albury player Jeff Garlett has joined Portland for the early rounds of the Hampden league season. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Also led Camperdown at the last change in round 2 before being run down again in the final term.

Maskell Medal winner Daniel Jackson and another recruit, Tanner Lovell, are firing and Jeff Garlett kicked three goals in the season opener.

Jack English has been in the best players in both matches for Hamilton this season and Rory Gill returns from suspension.

Prediction: Portland 26 points