Ovens and Murray: Corowa-Rutherglen returning next year after 2023 spent on sidelines
The ‘Roos are set to return to the OMFNL in front of their home fans next season, as the league sets its sights on the traditional Easter weekend.
Corowa-Rutherglen’s re-entry into the Ovens and Murray league in 2024 will guarantee the competition starts at Easter with the returning club almost certain to be playing at home for its comeback match.
The O&M traditionally plays matches across three days at Easter, capitalising on big crowds of tourists in places such as Corowa, Yarrawonga-Mulwala and Myrtleford.
Easter falls early next year in late March and had Corowa-Rutherglen not been able to confirm its place in the competition it would have led to a fixturing nightmare to stretch the season out from late March to mid-September.
It would have also denied host clubs huge financial returns if the league didn’t start at Easter.
Clubs had two less matches in 2023 with Corowa-Rutherglen in recess, but it’s confirmed it will be back with seniors and under-18s with the club hoping it can secure enough players for a reserves team.
“We are under no illusion that there is still work to be done, but we are up for the fight,” Corowa-Rutherglen president Graham Hosier said.
O&M chairman David Sinclair acknowledged the difficulties experienced this year with a nine-team competition.
“The league appreciated the support shown towards Corowa-Rutherglen from the other nine member clubs of the competition, and the understanding shown in what was a difficult 12 months for each club to navigate,” he said.
“The O&M will now push forward and construct a draw around a 10-team competition that will do away with the cumbersome club bye each round.”
Corowa-Rutherglen has been announcing a string of player signings with former Albury player Brady Morton as an assistant coach among the most recent.
It will be using some temporary facilities at its home ground next year following major flooding at John Foord Oval 12 months ago.
LAST WEEK
Corowa-Rutherglen has confirmed it will return to the Ovens and Murray Football-Netball League in 2024.
The club, which has spent this year in recess, notified the league on Friday it would be back with senior and under-18 teams with a question mark still lingering over its ability to field a reserves team.
It’s understood a formal announcement on the club’s successful return will be made early next week.
The club has been releasing the names of signings in recent weeks with 2022 captain Joe Hansen among those agreeing to return.
Corowa-Rutherglen has also appointed three-time O&M netball best and fairest winner Sophie Hanrahan as coach of it's A grade netball team.
The Weekly Times has attempted to contact club president Graham Hosier for comment.
The O&M had set the club a mid-October deadline for its return.
Senior coach Steve Owen has overseen the recruiting drive for players in recent months.
To assist with the successful reboot, Corowa-Rutherglen has been granted 60 player points next season and an additional $25,000 in the salary cap.
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