Echuca and Rochester face each other in Goulburn Valley League football on Saturday, resuming hostilities from last year’s semi-final.
Football and netball supporters have a rivalry and a local clash to look forward to this weekend across the Goulburn Valley and Murray leagues.
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In the Goulburn Valley League, Echuca takes on Rochester, with both fixtures being at night.
The Murray Bombers football outfit has started the new season strongly with consecutive wins and faces a Rochy side desperate to get off the mark having started with two losses, the clash being a rematch of last year’s semi-final.
In the netball, Echuca has also started perfectly, but it now faces a first away trip of the season against a Tigers side keen to avenge a close defeat to Mansfield last week.
Both fixtures will begin at 5pm on Saturday, the footy on Moon Oval and A-grade netball at Rochester Recreation Reserve.
Another pair of clashes involving two local sides will see Tongala and Echuca United meet in the Murray league, both clubs making somewhat slow starts across both codes.
In senior football, the Blues have split their opening two games, while Echuca United is yet to taste victory despite making strong starts in each match.
On the courts, Tongala will be keen to build on its strong second half against Numurkah last week, facing a young Eagles side that, like its football counterparts, is also winless but has been competitive.
Both clashes are taking place at Tongala Recreation Reserve on Saturday, the footy starting at 2pm and the netball shortly before from 1.30pm.
Tongala and Echuca United will face off in round three of the Murray league this weekend.
Other local Murray league outfit Moama has the bye this week.
In the Heathcote District Football Netball League, Lockington Bamawm United faces White Hills, the Cats again playing two night fixtures.
Jayden Howe’s football side has the opportunity to continue a perfect start after an impressive round one win over North Bendigo, taking on a Demons side that is also looking for consecutive victories.
Locky didn’t taste success across both its sides in the opening weekend, Stacy Bacon’s team losing a tight contest, now facing a White Hills team that started with a win over Huntly.
The senior football clash begins at 5.50pm, while A-grade netball is from 5.30pm, at White Hills Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
Elsewhere in the Heathcote District league, Leitchville-Gunbower faces Heathcote, both Bombers sides looking to avenge tough round one defeats.
The football side will feel it can get off the mark in 2026 against a Heathcote outfit that finished second-bottom last year, particularly after a valiant performance against reigning premier Mount Pleasant.
A-grade netball is arguably more of an unknown after Katie Pollock’s team suffered a heavy loss in round one, though it will take on a Saints side that won only once in 2025.
Both Bombers sides are at home again on Saturday at Gunbower Recreation Reserve, senior football starting at 2.20pm, while the netball begins at 2.30pm.
Finally, there is also Picola District Football Netball League action to look forward to, with Picola United facing Rennie in its first home matches of the season.
The Blues’ football side had an excellent start to 2026 with a massive win over Katunga and is expected to make it two from two against a Rennie side that lost by 193 points in round one.
The Grasshoppers should be much more competitive in the netball, having beaten Berrigan last week, though Picola also won, meaning one will register its first defeat on Saturday.
Senior football starts at 2.05pm, while A-grade netball begins at 1.30pm at Picola Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
Other local action will see Mathoura take on Berrigan, both Timbercutters sides looking to continue their development.
Adam Bourke’s football side may be in for a long day at the office against a Saints team that delivered the aforementioned thrashing of Rennie last week.
Meanwhile, the netball clash should be a lot tighter, Berrigan having only won twice last year, with Mathoura no doubt wanting an improved performance after only netting five goals in a heavy loss to Deni Rovers.
Both matches will take place at Mathoura Recreation Reserve on Saturday, senior football starting at 2.05pm, while A-grade netball begins from 1.30pm.
Soccer
After coming close to victory in its round one opener at Castlemaine, Echuca-Moama Border Raiders men are scheduled to face Deniliquin in their second match of the Football Victoria Bendigo Men’s League 2 season this Saturday at 3pm.
The Border Raiders women begin their 2026 campaign on Sunday at 11am, travelling to take on Spring Gully United at Stanley Avenue Reserve.
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