Mid-season report: Riverina Football League

Some would say Riverina Football League is the highest standard league in NSW or the ACT and the number of players drafted from the region may just back that up…

2022 has been a cracking season. With plenty to play for after last season’s write-off, every player and club is driving hard for their chance at premiership glory.

 

Ladder

Ganmain Grong Grong Matong Lions 8-1

Coolamon Hoppers 7-1-1

Collingullie Glenfield Park Demons 7-1-1

MCUE Goannas 5-4

Turvey Park Bulldogs 5-4

Wagga Tigers 3-6

Narrandera Eagles 3-6

Griffith Swans 1-8

Leeton Whitton Crows 0-8

Full ladder available here.

Summary

It’s not every day you have second and third placed teams drawing, but that’s exactly what happened with Collingullie and Coolamon in Round 9. The match was a nail biter the whole game and everyone in AFL Riverina is awaiting their rematch in the home and away season’s final round on the Hoppers’ home turf.

Ladder leaders, GGGM dealt Collingullie it’s only loss for the season so far. But it was far from easy. The Demons led the Lions by 19 points at the 22-minute mark of the final term, only to be run off their feet in a quarter which lasted 33 minutes. A five-goal onslaught in the last 10 minutes an incredible display from the Lions.

Collingullie’s performance wasn’t matched by Coolamon when it met GGGM in Round 2. The Hoppers were thrashed by 58 points. Could this dampen their credentials as we march toward finals?

Cellar-dwellers Griffith and Leeton Whitton played out a stirring game in Round 2, with the Swans defeating the Crows by 15 points.

In a turn-up proving every side can win on its day, the Wagga Tigers defeated GGGM in Round 10 for its first loss of the year. It was no fluke either, with the Tigers running out 27-point winners 10.10.70 to 4.13.43. The Lions will need to kick straighter if they want to cement their place as premiership favourites.

In a five-team finals series, the contenders appear set. However anything can happen. Every round is massive in AFL Riverina and this weekend is no different with Coolamon playing GGGM. It’s a top of the table clash between fierce rivals, whose towns are only 15 kilometres apart.

Player of the Year

Each coach votes 3, 2, 1 for each match they coach in the season. These are the leaders after Round 10:

26 – Jake Barrett (Coolamon) – Former AFL listed GIANTS and Brisbane player
23 – Jerry Maslin (Coolamon)
22 – Matthew Hamblin (GGGM) – 2021’s winner
20 – Matthew Klemke (Collingullie GP)
16 – Luke McKay (Narrandera)
16 – Jock Cornell (Wagga Tigers)
15 – Ryan Turnbull (MCUE)
14 – Jeremy Sykes (Coolamon)

 

Next week: We will look at AFL Riverina’s other senior competition, Farrer Football League.

 

NOTE: The Southern NSW Women’s league is contested before the AFL Riverina competition kicks off. Ganmain Grong Grong Matong Lions defeated North Wagga Saints on 1 April 2022.