The Murray Football Netball League club prepares to take on fierce rivals Nathalia, which would be a big enough occasion on its own.
As part of the Murray competition’s split round, the Blues welcome the Purples to Numurkah Showgrounds on a standalone Sunday afternoon fixture - and that’s not nearly all.
The round five clash will also serve as the first of six WorkSafe Country Club Games in regional areas this year.
By virtue of being selected, Numurkah automatically receives a $5,000 grant from WorkSafe in addition to a new supply of footballs and netballs.
The benefits extend to training as well, with some highly credentialed personalities descending upon the club to assist in delivering a Thursday night session.
The footballers will welcome 2016 Western Bulldogs drought-breaker Tom Boyd for their Thursday clinic before he appears at the ground on Sunday, while two current Melbourne Vixens - Maggie Caris and Gabby Coffey - will put the netballers through their paces.
Club vice-president Jeff Hopkins is certainly aware of what the weekend means to Numurkah.
“This game is traditionally played on a Sunday and it’s always a bigger game with a bit of rivalry, so this fixture becomes quite a large event,” Hopkins said.
“It’s always great to get high-profile people on board.
“To get the calibre of those sorts of people to attend and help our coaching staff is second to none from a development point of view.
“From our juniors right through to the seniors, it’s a great opportunity and a real credit to WorkSafe for a great initiative.”
Where the action itself is concerned, neither the senior nor A-grade Blues have made the ideal start to life in the Murray League this year.
The senior footballers, who broke a decade-long losing streak against Nathalia last year, sit at 1-2 after a dismal 40-point defeat to Tongala a fortnight ago.
The A-grade contingent has yet to notch its first four points from three games.
Form tends to go out the window when these two match up, though, as Hopkins explains.
“It hasn’t been the most ideal start, but no matter where they are (on the ladder), it’s traditionally a great game,” Hopkins said.
“We’ve only really just started to settle our team again, but this will be the catalyst to serve for a push towards finals as we move forward.
“They always provide a really good spectacle for spectators.”
Combining these elements with the significance of playing on ANZAC weekend makes this a time for anticipation as well as reflection at Numurkah.
“It’s a week on the calendar that we’ve thrown a lot of effort into,” Hopkins said.
“Having this ANZAC clash on the weekend is a great opportunity to show what Numurkah’s all about, and to pay our respects to what our predecessors have done for us.
“It’s great for us and the league. It’s really good to promote and enhance the younger generation in football and netball.”
Two other clashes mark the second half of the Murray’s split round on Saturday.
Both Saturday clashes take place over the border, with Barooga (0-3) looking to turn around its stalling campaign at home to Tongala (2-1).
Meanwhile, Deniliquin Rams (2-1) aim to consolidate their top-six credentials against the incoming threat of reigning premiers Mulwala (1-2).
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