Interleague: Ovens and Murray and Goulburn Valley to meet again for Ash-Wilson Trophy
O&M have won their last two showdowns against Goulburn Valley, and have retained their coach in a bid for three-on-the-trot.
The Ovens and Murray league has reappointed Finley farmer Damian Sexton as interleague coach as it chases a third successive win over fierce rivals Goulburn Valley in May.
The OM and GV remain the biggest supporters of representative football in the post-Covid era as other leagues elect to embrace under-age match-ups since the dumping of a structured statewide competition.
In 2022, OM comfortably beat GV at Mooroopna and last year OM won a thriller at Albury.
Sexton was in charge for both victories and OM chairman David Sinclair said the league was delighted he wanted to remain in the role.
“He has a great rapport with the senior coaching group, he loves the challenge and has a wonderful coaching record in rep footy,” Mr Sinclair said.
“His meticulous preparation and ability to get buy-in from the playing group has ensured teams under his guidance are given the very best opportunity of success.
“The OM and GV see each other as traditional rivals and while there is a trophy to play for we will continue to be supportive of this fixture in the foreseeable future.”
The OM board ticked off Sexton’s appointment this week.
GV will host the match this year with a venue still to be determined.
Chairwoman Jacqui Hudgson said her league remained “happy at this point” to keep playing the OM.
Echuca star Sam Reid and Mark Lambourn are co-coaches of the GV team with three of its stars from last year, Frazer and Lachlan Dale and Jack O’Sullivan, joining OM clubs in the off-season.
The Dale brothers have returned to Myrtleford from Mansfield and O’Sullivan, the reigning Morrison Medal winner, has joined Wodonga from Seymour.
AFL Victoria provides a small subsidy to leagues who want to play representative games.
Hampden and Ballarat played an under-23 match last year and Wimmera and Sunraysia are in talks about an under-25 clash.
The Bendigo league will play a “hand-picked” Victorian amateur representative team in early July.
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