FOOTBALL
One of the fiercest rivalries in the Gippsland Football League will be on full show this weekend when Traralgon hosts Leongatha on Saturday night at Traralgon Recreation Reserve.
Traralgon Football Netball Club president Andrew Livingstone said there was “really good hype” around the club ahead of it’s first home game under the new lights.
“We’re really looking forward to making a big event of Saturday night so it’s really exciting,” Livingstone said.
“It’s just huge for the club and these lights are fantastic so we’ll be making a showcase game of it.”
Saturday’s festivities at Traralgon Recreation Reserve will take on a carnival-like atmosphere, with food trucks, activities for kids and live music on the deck.
“We’re offering free entry to other Gippsland-affiliated clubs in the region, so anyone that shows their membership card will get free entry,” Livingstone said.
“Hopefully we’ll get a crowd similar to a finals crowd, so the more the merrier.”
Netball action on Saturday will begin with the under 13 match from 11.15am and fourths football from 12.30pm.
The headline A grade netball clash will be played at 4.30pm and the traditional rivalry between Traralgon and Leongatha in seniors football kicks off under lights at 6.30pm.
“Leongatha and Traralgon are really good traditional rivals and we’ve had some great tussles with them, particularly in recent years,” Livingstone said.
“In 2015 we pipped them in the final when they were favourites to win, so I think the rivalry has certainly heightened since that game.
“I know there will be a big crowd of Leongatha supporters coming over as well, so it should be a great night.”
In his third year at the helm of the Maroons’ senior side, playing coach Mark Collison said the rivalry between Traralgon and reigning premiers Leongatha was healthier than ever.
“Since I’ve been coach, every year we’ve been top three with Leongatha and Maffra and every year the grand final teams have come from those three sides,” Collison said.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing where we’re at this weekend.”
With a number of fresh faces filling the Maroons line up Collison said his side’s first up win over Bairnsdale boded well ahead of Saturday.
“We played a lot of kids on the weekend and they got some exposure and held up really well against a sold Bairnsdale side, so it was a good sign,” he said.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing where we’re at this weekend.”
