By Tallon Smith

The cricket season is drawing to a close, the summer sun is showing signs of exhaustion, and football season is fast approaching across the Riverina.

WIth the recent release of the Group 9 draw, Battlers For Bush Footy has compiled a list of the must-watch Group 9 games in 2024, with some familiar rivalries and other matches of importance highlighted and previewed ahead of what shapes as a massive season in 2024.

The full Group 9 draw is listed below.

Round 1: Albury Thunder v Gundagai Tigers

The matchup of the two clubs on the Hume, the ‘Freeway Derby’ has quickly blossomed into one of Group 9’s biggest rivalries in the past decade. Ever since the Thunder defeated the boys in black and gold in the 2013 decider, a strong rivalry has existed between the two clubs, who could not be more opposite in population but yet are often separated by very fine margins. For example, in 2022, when Gundagai won the title undefeated, all that separated the Tigers and Group 21’s Scone Thoroughbreds in the Clayton Cup race was the fact Gundagai drew 26-all with Albury in the regular season, while Scone completed a perfect 14-0 season. Last season, the Thunder qualified for the finals and the Tigers missed out even though Gundagai had won 2 more games due to a quirky and uneven draw, which further fuelled the rivalry between the clubs. This season, expert fireworks when the two sides face off in Round 1, with Greenfield Park hosting what will be a massive season opener on Saturday April 13.

Round 1: Wagga Kangaroos v Tumut Blues

Everyone remembers what happened last September in Wagga. The Kangaroos, with the luxury of a home Grand Final, fresh off a major recruitment drive, blew a 14-0 lead to capitulate to an experienced Tumut side 23-18. No one has forgotten, certainly not the Kangaroos, and that is sure to ignite a fire in the belly of Group 9’s most historically successful club when they get their shot at revenge first up in Round 1. However, standing in the way of Nathan Rose’s men is an equally motivated Blues side led by Zac Masters, hoping to go back-to-back in 2024. No matter which way you look at this encounter, it is sure to be an all-time classic, and should draw a large crowd to McDonald’s Park when they meet on April 13.

Round 2: Wagga Brothers v Wagga Kangaroos

There are two major reasons as to why this game features here: it’s a Wagga derby, but even more importantly this match marks the return of the Brothers to First Grade football. Easily the biggest storyline to start 2024, the Brothers’ rise from the brink of collapse to a return to the top grade is remarkable given the challenge of recruiting players under the NSWRL’s points system. But under the guidance of former Dragons and Broncos star Aaron Gorrell, Wagga Wagga’s third club will again line up to start the race for the Group 9 supremacy. The boys in red and green have been given a tough task to start their return campaign, as they are slated to take on last season’s dark horses and runners up in the Wagga Kangaroos. The ‘Roos will start the 2024 season with a target on their back as they try and avenge last year’s heartbreaking Grand Final loss and take home their first title since 2009. All in all, it shapes as a must-see event when these two sides clash on April 20 at the Equex Centre in Wagga.

Round 3: Junee Diesels v South City Bulls

Okay, this clash doesn’t immediately come to mind as quickly as a heavyweight battle, but rest assured, it will be a good one. After both having lean seasons in 2023, these two proud clubs will look to prove a point as well as gain two crucial competition points when they face each other for the first time in 2024. In their one meeting in 2023, the Diesels gained their first win back in the First Grade competition with a 30-28 upset over the Turvey Park-based outfit, which led to a second upset win over Temora the following week and helped Junee to leapfrog the Bulls out of last place. Although Junee eventually finished with the wooden spoon, that game will remain fresh in South City’s memory and will serve to motivate them to get one back on the Diesels at Laurie Daley Oval in Round 3.

Round 7: Tumut Blues v Gundagai Tigers

This is the big one, the derby. One of, if not the biggest country footy rivalry in the state, whenever the Tigers face the Blues a fiery encounter awaits. Crowds converge in their thousands as if regular season meetings are Grand Finals, and the same can be expected this season when the two meet at ANZAC Park in Round 7 on May 25. The two sides have dominated the competition in recent years, winning the last five titles between them, and with Tumut losing enigmatic hooker Lachlan Bristow to a French sojourn, Gundagai will fancy their chances against the reigning champs. The Blues would refute that however, citing the fact they will again field a squad amongst the competition’s strongest in their premiership defence. As always when the two teams meet, the only thing that can be guaranteed is the passion; the football will do the talking in determining bragging rights in the foothills.

Round 9: Young Cherrypickers v Temora Dragons

Two of last season’s better outfits, Young and Temora would have been disappointed to fall short of the Grand Final in what was an extremely tight competition. With both holding long premiership droughts dating back to 1991 and 2004 respectively, hopes would be harboured in both towns that 2024 may be the year that the Group 9 Premiership Trophy will finally return. That’s why when they meet in Round 9, it will be a big match for both clubs. At the halfway point of the season, the top five will be beginning to take shape, and the Cherrypickers and Dragons firm as contenders to be in the mix. Two crucial competition points will be on offer at Young’s Alfred Oval on June 15, with the winner potentially making a stride towards the coveted Group 9 crown. 

Group 9 2024 Draw

Home team listed first Rounds 1-9, reverse from Rounds 10-18

Round 1 & 10

Albury v Gundagai

Kangaroos v Tumut

Young v South City

Junee v Temora

Brothers bye

Round 2 & 11

Junee v Young

Brothers v Kangaroos

South City v Albury

Temora v Tumut

Gundagai bye

Round 3 & 12

Young v Tumut

Brothers v Temora

Junee v South City

Kangaroos v Gundagai

Albury bye

Round 4 & 13

Albury v Kangaroos

Tumut v Junee

Gundagai v Temora

Brothers v Young

South City bye

Round 5 & 14

Young v Gundagai

Junee v Brothers

Temora v Albury

Tumut v South City

Kangaroos bye

Round 6 & 15

Gundagai v Junee

Albury v Young

South City v Kangaroos

Brothers v Tumut

Temora bye

Round 7 & 16

Temora v Kangaroos

Tumut v Gundagai

Junee v Albury

Brothers v South City

Young bye

Round 8 & 17

Gundagai v Brothers

Albury v Tumut

Kangaroos v Young

Temora v South City

Junee bye

Round 9 & 18

Young v Temora

Brothers v Albury

South City v Gundagai

Junee v Kangaroos

Tumut bye