Tara Murray
The Riddell District Football Netball League will kick off its season with a standalone match between the Western Rams and Melton Centrals.
The league announced their senior men’s football and netball fixtures on Tuesday, with the season set to start on April 1.
Pending ground availability the Rams will host the Centrals on April 1 to start the season with the rest of round one on April 15, with a week off for Easter in between the two.
Woodend-Hesket will again face Riddell on Good Friday in another early marquee game. The two teams will have a bye in round three, with the Good Friday match been classified as their match for that round.
Grand final day is set down for September 17.
Highlights of the fixture include Riddell hosting Puka Up Cup against Macedon in round one, the A-grade netball grand final rematch between Diggers Rest and Woodend-Hesket on April 15 and the senior football grand final rematch between Riddell and Diggers Rest on May 13.
There is also several night matches scheduled.
Football operations manager Aaron McLean was pleased with how the fixture had come together.
“The RDFNL are pleased to have met requests where possible with several highlights throughout the season including Western Rams in a stand-alone game against Melton Centrals on April 1, Woodend-Hesket hosting Riddell on Good Friday and Macedon hosting Diggers Rest on Anzac Day.
“Lancefield will celebrate their 150th year when they host rivals Romsey on May 27.”
The under-19.5 football fixture and the under-19 netball fixture have yet to be finalised, while a fixture for the new women’s competition is still to come.
