Ovens & Murray, Tallangatta, Ovens & King: Tiered points system starting in 2025

The Ovens & Murray is headed for a thrilling final round that will also have ramifications for a new points system starting in 2025.

Ovens & Murray superpower Albury could be an instant beneficiary of the switch to a tiered points system for three leagues in the northeast next year.

Albury is in danger of missing finals for the first time since 2008 with the winner of seven flags in the last 15 years sitting outside the top five with one round to play.

Albury has played with 40 points since the Covid interruptions of 2020-21, but would receive two extra points if it missed finals.

The potential major loser is third-placed North Albury which would drop from 46 to 39 points if it finishes in its current position.

Albury has won seven Ovens & Murray premierships since 2009. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

North Albury has high points presently because it hasn’t played finals for a decade.

It can still miss out, and reduce the hit on points, depending on results of its match against Wodonga and the Albury-Myrtleford encounter.

North Albury, Wangaratta and Wodonga are on 40 points with Albury one win behind in the most even O&M season for decades.

The tiered points system is a huge change from clubs needing to apply for additional points coupled with the reluctance by the governing body, AFL Northeast Border, to strip points from consistently high performing clubs since the points system’s introduction in 2016.

Ovens & Murray general manager Kane Arendarcikas. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

“It’s not the armageddon that has been portrayed when you actually look at the data of the points used by clubs,” O&M general manager Kane Arendarcikas said.

“It feels like it has been too personal to take points off a club if they’ve won the last two flags.

“The rule has been there, but no one has used it.”

Albury, Yarrawonga, Wangaratta and Lavington are the only clubs to play in a grand final since 2008.

Reigning premier Yarrawonga will go from 40 to 36 points if it wins back-to-back flags.

The Ovens & King league’s top two teams Bonnie Doon and Greta presently play with 42 points and would drop to 37 and 38 respectively if the ladder positions remained the same after the grand final.

Yarrawonga is well placed to win back-to-back Ovens & Murray premierships. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Tallangatta District minor premiers Yackandandah would drop three points if it wins its first flag since 2000.

The Tallangatta District and Ovens & King leagues home and away seasons finished on Saturday.

Wodonga Saints (10th), Dederang-Mt Beauty (11th) and Wahgunyah (12th) will have the maximum allowable 46 points in the TDFL with Dederang-Mt Beauty jumping from 40 to 46.

Tarrawingee and Benalla All Blacks will have 46 points in the O&K league.

Corowa-Rutherglen is lobbying to keep close to the 60 points it presently has after spending last year in recess.

POINTS CAPS FROM 2025

OVENS AND MURRAY

Premier: 36

Runner-up: 37

Third: 38

Fourth: 39

Fifth: 40

Sixth: 42

Seventh: 43

Eighth: 44

Ninth: 45

Tenth: 46

TALLANGATTA DISTRICT

Premier: 37

Runner-up: 38

Third: 39

Fourth: 40

Fifth: 41

Sixth: 42

Seventh: 43

Eighth: 44

Ninth: 45

Tenth: 46

11th: 46

12th: 46

OVENS & KING

Premier: 37

Runner-up: 38

Third: 39

Fourth: 40

Fifth*: 41

Sixth*: 42

Seventh: 43

Eighth: 44

Ninth: 45

Tenth: 46

11th: 46

*Margins in the elimination finals will determine final ladder position when determining player points totals for following season.