Sport
15 February, 2026
Tigers test waters with pre-season schedule
NEW LODDON Valley club Macorna and under-manned North Central side Boort will get an early indication of their 2026 football prospects when they meet in a practice match on March 21.
The Tigers finished last in the now defunct Golden Rivers league last season and has made the switch to the Loddon competition.
Boort came fourth in 2025 but has suffered a loss of key players to the neighbouring league, especially Pyramid Hill.
Last week, Boort’s league reserves best-and-fairest Alex Cockerell was announced as a Macorna signing, so the practice game shapes as a big moment for him.
Both Macorna and Boort are unknown quantities this season, with the Tigers entering arguably a tougher league and the Magpies beginning a new era under coach Andrew Rutley.
Play will begin at Macorna’s oval from 10am.
The Tigers will also travel to play Heathcote league side Elmore and the Kerang competition’s Stanhope in pre-season games.
Both Elmore and Stanhope finished seventh in their respective league’s last season.
Bridgewater and Calder United will play a practice match on March 14, pitting the Loddon Valley runners-up against the North Central premiers.
The clash at Bridgewater is a re-match after the clubs met last pre-season.
That game was the Lions’ first official hit-out after the merger of Wycheproof Narraport and Nullawil.
- GARY WALSH