Ovens & Murray records biggest win against Goulburn Valley since 1971

Goulburn Valley is facing mounting pressure to reassess its interleague future after the worst defeat in more than half a century to its biggest rival.

The Goulburn Valley league’s commitment to interleague football is under intense scrutiny following the heaviest defeat to arch rival Ovens & Murray in more than half a century.

League legend Des Campbell urged the GV to “get serious or call it quits” after kicking only one goal for the first three quarters on the way to a crushing 77-point loss.

The O&M led by 88 points at three quarter time before GV salvaged something from the wreck with six goals in the final term.

It’s biggest loss to the O&M was 78 points in 1971 when Campbell was one of the best players in country Victoria and regularly represented and coached the GV.

“The O&M was obviously far more organised than the Goulburn Valley this year,” he said.

“But unless the better players are going to play why continue?

“You either get serious about it or call it quits.

“It does hurt old blokes like me seeing them lose by that much.”

The victorious Ovens & Murray interleague team after its massive win against Goulburn Valley at Wangaratta on Saturday. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Off-field concerns are compounding the on-field disappointment for GV.

The GV posted an $87,000 loss last year and AFL Victoria has withdrawn financial support for all representative football across the state.

“The biggest concern I have is the cost of it,” Rochester president Justin Cleary said.

“I know they’ve done a better job this year bringing the costs down.

“One thing I do know is clubs do enjoy the bye.

“But it won’t have much life to it if it continues to be a one-sided affair.”

GV chairman Peter Foott said a call on whether it remained committed to playing the O&M “needed to be done early” with a debrief to start this week at a club delegates’ meeting.

“We’ve been in this together with the O&M and out of respect to them if it doesn’t go ahead next year we need tell them early so they can find another partner,” he said.

“Or we can find better commercial partners (to go on).

“We will do a review, talk to O&M, and you are governed sometimes by what clubs want.”

Goulburn Valley suffered its second biggest loss to Ovens & Murray in an interleague match on Saturday. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

In the absence of a statewide interleague format, O&M and GV have played for four years in a row with the GV’s only win being last year.

First-year GV coach Dale Osborne said he hoped the match-up would continue despite the heavy defeat.

“It is super important that this keeps going,” he said.

“It’s a great platform for these young fellows to show what they can do.”

A horror run of injuries robbed GV of representation from the winner of the last three flags, Echuca.

Key forward Hugh Byrne was the only player in contention, but was ruled out with a shoulder injury in the days leading up to the match.

Benalla forward Nathan Wright suffered a hamstring injury to cap off a horror day for the GV.

Ovens & Murray coach Jake Sharp. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

In stark comparison, the O&M is committed to interleague in 2026 and beyond.

“It might not be GV, but I know (the O&M board) are committed to looking at all avenues,” O&M coach Jake Sharp said.

“Whether it’s interstate, who knows.

“I’m not in the inner-sanctum, but we’re so committed to providing a platform for our boys to play on a higher stage.”

Sharp took over as O&M coach this year from Damian Sexton and since his mid-February appointment had worked hard on getting crucial buy-in from the leagues youngest and oldest players.

POLL: Will the @omfnl v @GVLeague battle for Ash-Wilson Trophy survive beyond this year? @theweeklytimes@ctryfootyscores

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Myrtleford’s Simon Curtis made his O&M debut aged 36 and former GV Morrison Medal winner Ben Rigoni played against his old league after joining North Albury this season.

VFL reigning premier Werribee had recruiting staff at the match at Wangaratta on Saturday after luring former O&M young guns Shaun Mannagh, Riley Bice, Aidan Johnson and Ryan Eyers in recent years.

North Albury young gun Joshua Murphy booted six goals against GV. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

O&M chairman David Sinclair hoped the GV could find a way to remain involved.

“I’m not really sure where we go from here, but I hope like hell we continue to do it,” he said.

“If we don’t get some support from AFL Victoria and some sort of more structured format, I’m still hoping we can play these sorts of games and put our footballers and netballers up on a pedestal.

“In terms of pure regional footy, GVL and O&M are the best two leagues and may it continue.”

The O&M has no ready-made alternative to play if the GV doesn’t agree to another match in 2026.