PLAYER CHANGES
INS: Khy Stovell (Kyabram), Jake Ellery (Strathmerton), Luka Simpson (Mathoura), Jacob Simpson (Mathoura), James Gillivan (Chelsea), Dayne Tannenberg (East Sunbury), Rodney Reeves (Moulamein), Jack Barnes (East Sunbury), Jack Harland (Lavington), Grant Gallus (Birchip Watchem), Toby Thoolen (Swan Hill)
OUTS: Jack Russell, Tom Holman, Jack Sheldon (Kyabram), Mitchell Bell (Echuca), Lachy Hogan (Echuca)
For the third time in as many years Moama was knocked out in the preliminary final last season after coming within a point of its first senior grand final birth in nearly a decade.
While a controversial finish to last year’s preliminary final against Finley may have left a bad taste in the mouths of many, it is undoubtedly frustrating for a side perpetually on the cusp of greatness.
The loss in ‘24 appeared to be the straw that broke the camel’s back for Moama, with a number of the Magpies’ key contributors moving on in 2025.
This includes senior captain and 2024 Murray League best and fairest Jack Russell, who along with club senior best and fairest and leading goal kicker for 2024 Tom Holman have decided to join Kyabram in the GVL for the year ahead.
This, along with young gun and finals weapon Jobe Shanahan being drafted to the West Coast Eagles has left the Magpies with a cloudy flight path in 2025.
Senior coaches Liam Barrett and Jye Warren have had a busy off-season, recruiting players from across the state to don the black and white stripes.
Barrett in particular believes that this change will be a benefit to the club and allow the senior side to both maintain it’s strong structure while injecting new elements into their style of football.
“The boys are trying to learn a few new things at training and are making a real effort to raise our standards at training and on game day,” he said.
“We feel like the guys we have recruited ahead of the season will fill the roles we may have lost quite nicely.”
“We want to uphold all of the great work that Sam Sheldon and Jye Warren have done over the last few years to build the side up, while bringing in some new elements and work on our offensive side of the ball.”
20°C