Sport
10 April, 2026
Payne has ‘let’s be competitive’ mantra
MAIDEN Gully, which wants to leave the Loddon Valley league next year, faces Macorna, which has joined the league this season, in round one on Saturday.
MAIDEN Gully, which wants to leave the Loddon Valley league next year, faces Macorna, which has joined the league this season, in round one on Saturday.
The Tigers are an unknown quantity after transferring from the now defunct Golden Rivers league following a winless season.
Coach Fergus Payne, who led Inglewood to the preliminary final last season, said the team’s aim was to be competitive.
“We’ll put in place what we have been working on in pre-season and continue to gel with the new players,” he said.
There was genuine excitement at Macorna about the club’s new start, Payne said.
“Obviously it’s a new league and we’re looking forward to testing ourselves against new teams. “We go into every game thinking we can be competitive,” he said.
Seb Erharter, who kicked 65 goals for Inglewood last season, will make his Macorna debut, and shapes as the team’s forward line focus, although he will mix his time in attack with spells in the midfield.
Maiden Gully has recruited strongly as it looks to build a case to join the Bendigo league in 2027.
The Eagles’ most exciting prospect is Josiah Farrer, who has played six games for the club in the past two seasons.
The Northern Territory-based Farrer’s availability for Maiden Gully is the only question, with co-coach Shawn Filo expecting him to play about 10 games this year.
Read More: Loddon Shire