Defending premiers Cudgewa will start as favourites when the 2024 Upper Murray season starts on Saturday.
The Blues have retained the bulk of last year’s team that went undefeated through the 2023 season including a 94-point demolition of Bullioh in the grand final.
League best and fairest winner, Josh Bartel, has taken over the co-coaching role with Dayne Carey while former mentor and key forward, Drew Cameron, has left the club.
Clever goal sneak Jason Bartel has returned to his former club Kiewa-Sandy Creek in the Tallangatta league and best and fairest winner, Darcy McKimmie, has transferred to Mitta.
Offsetting those losses has been the recruitment of Cameron O’Neill from Barnawatha, a four-time Tallangatta league best and fairest winner, who will be a sensation at the lower level.
The Blues still boast the best forward line in the competition, spearheaded by the winner of the 2023 Corryong Courier goalkicking award, Adam Prior, alongside Nick Brockley and the long-kicking Bartel.
This firepower, combined with a midfield that runs deep and a miserly defence, means Cudgewa could conceivably post consecutive undefeated seasons.
Bullioh will be the Blues’ closest rivals again but it is difficult to see the Bulldogs making up sufficient ground to depose the Blues as flag favourites.
Clint Brunnemeyer will lead the Dogs and early signings included Joe Bolton, Jordan Peters, Jack Wilson and Jye Hodgkin from Mitta plus a key defender in Rick Thompson. Gun forward Ash Murray has also committed to pull on the tri-colours in 2024.
Tumbarumba, under the guidance of premiership players Jim Waters and Wade McPherson, will be keen to atone for a disappointing 2023 season after winning its second senior premiership the year before.
After a winless season in 2023, Corryong still made the 1st semi in the four-club competition but suffered a 145 point thrashing from Bullioh.
New coach, Dan McCarthy, has his work cut out for him in the Demons’ quest to climb the ladder.
McCarthy won the league’s best and fairest award in 2017 when playing for Border-Walwa and is expected to bring several players with him from other district leagues.
This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 18 April 2024.
