Matthew Lias is one of the big movers in local footy in 2025, joining Echuca United from three-time GVL champions Echuca. Photo: Aidan Briggs.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
We are still three months out from the start of the football and netball seasons, but as the new year rolls around, local clubs have wasted no time bringing in new talent and locking down existing stars.
Echuca
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The three-time defending champions have been pretty quiet when it comes to the announcement of new signings thus far, but the deepest club in the GVL has plenty of reserve and youth talent to call on in the new season.
The most significant change for the Murray Bombers is a switch-up in the coaching ranks.
Carlton legend Andrew Walker is stepping away from co-coaching duties, with Simon Maddox to be joined by Leo Tenace and Cameron Valentine, as the side chases a near unheard of quadruple.
A veteran of over 50 senior games with Echuca, Matt Lias shapes as a significant loss as he joins the Echuca United rebuild under Scott Beattie.
In netball, not much is known about the make-up of the Murray Bomber’s A-grade side, but after a grand final and a championship over the past few years, we can expect the club will be keen to retain most of the playing group.
Moama
Lisa Drysdale has taken the reins at Moama, hoping to guide her side one better than its grand final appearance in 2024.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
After three preliminary finals in a row, Moama’s senior football side is looking to finally breakthrough under the guidance of new co-coach Liam Barrett, who joins Jye Warren at the helm.
The Magpies have lost reigning league co-best and fairest Jack Russell, who has defected to Kyabram, but plenty of new talent is on its way into Moama Recreation Reserve to fill the void.
Ruck and midfielder Toby Thoolen was the first new signing of the off-season, joining from Swan Hill, while the Mowers are also adding former Pearce medallist Jake Ellery, Jacob and Luka Simpson from Mathoura, James Gillivan, Dayne Tannenberg, Rodney Reeves, Jack Barnes and former club best-and-fairest Jack Harland to their ranks.
The club’s A-grade side is still taking shape coming off a grand final appearance, but Moama has announced that veteran A-grade goaler Lisa Drysdale will be stepping into player-coach duties, replacing Olivia Taverna.
Echuca United
Scott Beattie’s rebuild mission enters year two in 2025 and the Eagles have plenty of room to grow, with a raft of new signings jumping on board.
As mentioned, Lias, arriving from Echuca, brings championship experience to the youthful Eagles side.
Also joining or returning to Echuca United are Connor Langley, Cal Parsons, James Curnow, Liam Gundry and Dylan Friedberger.
In netball, plenty of new faces will be at the disposal of new A- and B-grade coach Krysta Burns, who steps in to replace Tanner Edwards in the A-grade job.
The A-grade side was unlucky to win only twice in 2024, going within a few goals on a number of occasions and posting two draws with Cobram.
Tongala
Billy Barnes’ tenure at the helm at Tongala lasted just one season, with Stephen Hammond returning to the club after previously leading the reserves to the 2022 flag.
The majority of the core group are back and will be bolstered by the returns to the club of Jack Hammond, Cameron Ilett, Daniel Maher, Matthew Daniel and Jimmy Cullen.
New signings Angus and Oscar Harrington are also jumping on board for the new campaign.
The Blues’ former championship-winning and recent preliminary finalist A-grade side is under a reworked leadership group this term, star goaler Milly Brock joining championship winner Grace Hammond in charge.
The major signing in the netball ranks thus far is the addition of Emmalea Wishart, who comes boasting a resume including a Golden Rivers League runner-up best-and-fairest honour in 2023, and club best-and-fairest nods at three former clubs.
