Interleague: Ovens and Murray and Goulburn Valley to play again

Interleague footy could be back with a bang in 2023. See what leagues have locked in games and who is hoping to follow suit.

The Ovens and Murray and Goulburn Valley leagues have locked in another interleague game for 2023 with other major competitions in talks about also resurrecting representative matches in the post Covid era.

The O and M and GV were the only leagues to play a representative encounter this year with the match in May being the stage for Wangaratta’s Joe Richards to produce a blinder that helped him get drafted by Collingwood this week.

This year’s match was played at Mooroopna with next season’s return bout to be played at an O and M venue.

Albury’s Jacob Conlan is tackled by a Goulburn Valley opponent. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Albury, Wangaratta and Yarrawonga are all in the mix to host the match on Saturday, May 20.

Hampden league general Mike Farrow confirmed it was “definitely” keen on playing an interleague match again next year with Ballarat and Geelong obvious potential opponents due to their proximity.

“Nothing is formal to say who, when or where yet,” he said.

“There is an (appetite) to play again, definitely.

“Hopefully we’ll have something to announce in the new year.”

Gippsland league general manager Daniel Heathcote said: “We are looking at our options and if the right opportunity came up we would be looking to play a senior interleague match.”

Wangaratta’s Joe Richards playing for the Ovens and Murray this year. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

O and M chairman David Sinclair said his league put huge importance on representative football.

“It was Joe’s performance in that game against the GV this year that got tongues wagging,” he said.

“I’m sure he was on their radar prior to that, but it certainly gave his chances a nice boost at the right time.”

Damian Sexton coached the O and M to its huge win this year and will retain the job next season.

The O and M is one of the first major leagues to release its 2023 fixture with the grand final to be held on Sunday, September 24, a week before the AFL grand final.

Damian Sexton coached the Ovens and Murray to a thumping win against Goulburn Valley this year. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

It is a return to its original timeslot after being forced to move to avoid playing the same weekend as the Hume and Tallangatta and District league grand finals.

The three leagues met recently and agreed to return to the previous schedule of Tallangatta and District playing the weekend before the Hume and O and M grand finals on the Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Mr Sinclair said his league was keen to avoid playing the same weekend as the AFL grand final at all costs.

“The AFL grand final public holiday has thrown too many variables into that weekend,” he said.

“People go away so it’s hard to get volunteers.”

The GV has confirmed its grand final will also be played on Sunday, September 24 with the fixture to be released before Christmas.