Upper Murray expected to drop to four teams in 2023

Tumbarumba has won the flag, but all eyes are now on what the Upper Murray league will look like in 2023.

Upper Murray league grand final combatants Tumbarumba and Cudgewa are prepared to play in a four-team competition next year given the expected demise of Federal in the off-season.

The anticipated reduction from five to four clubs means it will be the league with the least number of teams in the state, with the Omeo and District league having only four teams until the addition of Bruthen and Buchan in the late 1970s.

Federal almost fell over at the start of the season due to a player shortage, but rallied and took its place in the draw.

Federal is based in Corryong and shares its home ground with the Corryong Demons, but the chances of them merging are remote.

Cudgewa president Greg Hillier urged league officials to call a meeting within a fortnight to provide certainty for clubs for next year.

He said the option of all teams joining forces and forming a club to play in the Tallangatta and District league was dead in the water.

“The step from here to the Tallangatta league is enormous,” Hillier said.

“I don’t think I could name 10 young players from up here who could help form a Tallangatta senior side.

“If you go down there as a basket case and get belted by 250 points each week it won’t last long.

“If it’s only a fourteam competition we’ll be happy with that.”

He said the elimination of a bye would be a positive given his club played only one game in a five-week period during this season.

Tumbarumba beat Cudgewa in the grand final at Tumbarumba on Saturday by 36 points.

Tumbarumba’s Jacob Reed capped off a sensational season with a flag after also being named best player on the ground and sharing the league best and fairest with teammate James Waters.

Tumbarumba president Mont Waters said the Upper Murray league would definitely go ahead next year.

“I will stake my life on it,” he said.

“We’re on the front foot talking to some Tallangatta league clubs.

“It won’t happen next year, but two or three years down the track it could be a six to eight-team comp.”

Border-Walwa folded in the lead-up to the 2020 season, which was called off due to Covid.