Magic Round Extravaganza: Group 20 Unveils Blockbuster Season Opener in Leeton

In Short

• Leeton to Host Magic Round: The 2026 season kicks off April 11–12 with every Round 1 game across six grades played at Leeton No. 1 Oval.

• Narrandera’s Historic Return: After a 22-year hiatus from senior men's Group football, the Narrandera Lizards return to the reserve grade competition.

• High-Stakes Clashes: Key matchups include a 2025 finals rematch between Griffith Black & Whites and Yanco-Wamoon, plus defending premiers DPC Roosters facing Yenda.

The new Group 20 season is set to kick off with a blockbuster opening weekend after details and fixtures from a proposed Magic Round to open the season emerged last week.

Every game of round one, which is set down for the weekend of April 11 and 12, is set to take place in the one location as the league works towards a huge festival of footy at Leeton to begin the year across all six grades.

Headlining the opening round of the competition is a showdown between the off-season’s big movers in Griffith Black and Whites and last year’s surprise finalists Yanco-Wamoon Hawks.

The Hawks’ final round upset win over Waratahs saw them beat Black and Whites for the final top five position, and with the nucleus of the Yanco team ready to go again under new coach Kye Longford in 2026, the maroon and whites are looking like a genuine premiership threat.

However, the Black and Whites have been active in the player market over the summer, securing the services of stars Isaiah Buerckner-Little and Isaiah Nauer from Yenda and Waratahs respectively, and will be looking to start strongly from the get-go with their new combinations.

After making last year’s Grand Final, the Hay Magpies’ quest to return to the big dance will begin with a showdown against evergreen dynamo Jaden Kelly and the TLU Sharks.

Despite the losses of Ben Arandt and Will Barnes, the Magpies have retained the majority of their squad, and will be looking to impress in their first competitive fixture under recently announced head coach Zac O’Neill.

The Sharkies have also had a quiet off-season on the recruiting side of things, with the club still yet to publicly confirm its coach, though most of its key players are committed to the upcoming campaign.

Defending premiers Darlington Point-Coleambally will open their season against Yenda, who will be looking for redemption in 2026 after narrowly missing out on finals football last season.

Both teams have lost a key player over the off season, in Billy Gilbert for the Roosters and Salesi Mahe for the Blueheelers, and will be looking to stamp their authority and claim two competition points first up.

Rounding off the strong line-up of fixtures is a must-see clash between a rejuvenated West Wyalong side and last year’s preliminary finalists Griffith Waratahs.

After collecting a rare wooden spoon last year, the Mallee Men have added several key pieces to their squad for the upcoming campaign, with new coach Luke Clarke being joined by fellow former Parkes player and PNG domestic competition star Joash Toringi as well as Forbes powerhouse forward David White.

However, following two late finals exits the last two years, the Waratahs will be hungrier than ever in 2026, and with the addition of Auckland pair Sima Tau and Io Lotoa’atu, they will be ready to meet the Mallee Men’s challenge come round one.

Meanwhile, in the other big story of the opening weekend, Narrandera’s return to the reserve grade competition will begin with a clash against the home side in Leeton, a fixture which is sure to draw plenty of attention.

The Narrandera club is looking strong ahead of its return, with a new $30,000 sponsorship from the local Ex-Servicemen’s club helping to improve the club’s financial situation as it prepares for the jump back to Group football.

The match will be the Lizards’ first senior men’s game in the competition since 2004, ending a 22-year wait for the Group 20 foundation club.

Details around the Magic Round event are set to be confirmed over the coming weeks.

Group 20 Round 1 Fixtures

April 11/12 - Leeton No.1 Oval

Griffith Black & Whites v Yanco

Hay Magpies v TLU Sharks

West Wyalong v Waratahs

Yenda v DPC Roosters

Narrandera v Leeton (reserves)