Lights, action in night series football

MARCH 1, 2013 4:00am

All is in readiness for the 27th annual Barooga Community Night Football Series, starting next Wednesday.

The first game to kick-off the series at Barooga is in division one, with last year’s Murray Football League premiers Nathalia, under new coach Jason Limbrick, taking on local side Barooga, again guided by Shaun Robbins.

Both teams have indicated they will play young sides to give these players experience at senior level.

This game will be played at 7pm on the first night.

Riverina Football League side Leeton-Whitton, last year’s division one premiers, will again make the bus trip south to take part in the series.

They have retained coach Damien Lang and will do battle with Finley, who many believe have a real chance of progressing deeper into the Murray Football League finals this season.

The Cats have Damien Sexton back at the helm this year and are sure to make a big impression under lights.

In division two both of last year’s grand finalists in Berrigan and Strathmerton have entered and look to be strong again.

Both teams have retained last season’s coaches with Justin Hoggan leading Berrigan and joint coaches Tim Bramich and Shaun Downie calling the shots at Strathmerton.

Other division two sides competing have recruited well and include Katamatite, Katandra, Waaia and Deni Rovers.

This night series looks to be an evenly matched affair and it will be a good test of how the off-season recruiting and training will come together.

Night series draw

Week one: Wednesday, March 6 at 7pm in division one, Barooga v Nathalia. Thursday, March 7 at 6.30pm in division two, Katamatite v Deni Rovers; 8.30pm in division two, Katandra v Berrigan. Friday, March 8 at 6.30pm in division two, Waaia v Strathmerton; 8.30pm in division one, Finley v Leeton-Whitton.

Week two: Tuesday, March 12 at 7pm in division one, Finley v Barooga. Thursday, March 14 at 6.30pm in division two, Strathmerton v Katandra; 8.30pm in division two, Deni Rovers v Waaia. Friday, March 15 at 6.30pm in division two, Katamatite v Berrigan; 8.30pm in division one, Nathalia v Leeton-Whitton. Friday, March 22 at 6.30pm in division two, grand final; 8.30pm in division one, grand final.

Note: If Nathalia makes the grand final in division one they are unavailable to play so the third-placed team will play the first-placed team.

Nathalia star Jason Limbrick will spearhead the Purples’ campaign for back-to-back Murray Football League premierships. He will lead the team in a night series campaign at Barooga.