MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE
NATHALIA PURPLES FOOTBALL
Fresh from becoming the first Murray league team to win five straight premierships, it is possible Nathalia enters its pursuit of a sixth in an even stronger position. While the premiers have lost grand final best-on-ground Bailey Bell and Adam Jorgensen, the Purples welcome Shepparton United star Matt Di Bella and Demon teammate Ben Bingham, as well as Connor Brown (Waaia) and Jaydan Thewma (Tatura) in a truly impressive recruiting haul. And motivation will never be questioned at Nathalia, as a side that can already call itself perhaps the league’s GOAT continues to chase premierships to share among mates. “It’s about us locals staying together, we’ve been playing with each other for a long
time, we love it and have really enjoyed our success,” coach Mal Barnes said. “We all love training together and doing pre-season together, we work hard and there’s always great buy-in from all. “It’s all just about keeping things rolling, you do a few little different things to try and keep the excitement and enjoyment in the group, but you don’t really want to change a winning formula.” While the likes of Drew Barnes, Brodie Ross, Liam Evans and Jason Limbrick remain some of the competition’s more formidable players, what makes the
Purples so dangerous — and has made them that for such a period — is the emergence of the next generation, with Tom Nihill and Alex Hicks producing brilliantly last season. “There’s still a really good mix of ages; you’ve got a few of the older blokes but then there’s guys like Tom Nihill and Alex Hicks who have taken their football to unreal levels,” the coach said. “This year we expect them to go again after really good pre-seasons, and there’s a few out of the thirds that can make an impact too.”
While there will be no shortage of contenders to do it, the Purples will need to find at least a couple of new avenues to goal with the departing Jorgensen and Bell having slotted 91 goals between them last season.
PLAYER CHANGES IN: Ben Bingham, Matt Di Bella (Shepparton United), Connor Brown (Waaia), Jaydan Thewma (Tatura). OUT: Bailey Bell (Tatura), Adam Jorgensen (Wodonga).
NETBALL
Nathalia bounced back from a winless campaign with a strong 2019, but the Purples are keen to keep rising through the ranks. “Coming from the bottom of the ladder for some years, even though our A-grade side missed finals, our other three senior grades made finals and we thought the year was a huge success,” coach Emma McDonald said. “We’re stronger again with a few new faces, so we’re pretty confident.” Strathmerton premiership defender Tegan Sutton, who was best-on-court in last year’s Picola league premiership, strengthens the Purples greatly, while a secretive McDonald kept a couple of cards close to her chest in promising some more additions. “The goal end will definitely be stronger, and the defence will be too with Tegan in there adding some height. Stacey Ross is also back from a knee, so we’ve probably strengthened all over,” she said. “Motivation seemed to come easily off last season. The dynamic has been really enjoyable and they’ve made my job easy.” –ALEX MITCHELL
Tegan Sutton
Tom Nihill
COACH: MAL BARNES MFL PREMIERSHIPS: 1939, 1949, 1963, 1978, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 2019 FINISH: PREMIER (20–1) 2019 BEST-AND-FAIREST: ALEX HICKS 2019 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: LIAM EVANS (67) GROUND: NATHALIA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: PURPLES
COACH: EMMA MCDONALD 2019 FINISH: NINTH (7–1–10)
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