Hay Lions Named Best Country AFL Club for 2025

Hay Lions Football Netball Club has been officially crowned the Best Country AFL Club in Victoria and Southern NSW for 2025 by The Weekly Times newspaper.

Beating out hundreds of clubs across the state, the Lions' selection is a testament to more than just scoreboard success; the Weekly Times defined it as a celebration of a community that refused to let geographical isolation or dwindling numbers dampen its spirit. The Weekly Times selection panel explained that the 'Best Club' award looks beyond the trophy cabinet.

The panel honoured the players, volunteers and fans who clocked thousands of kilometres to far-flung games in the final season of the Golden Rivers competition. The Weekly Times' statewide analysis of every league in Victoria and southern NSW based on the number of premierships won by football-netball clubs in all grades reveals Hay's billing as number one. It finished narrowly ahead of Darley and Koroit.

Those clubs play in two of the state's biggest leagues, but just one point separated the top three clubs. In season 2025, Hay Lions contested seven grand finals on the footy field and netball courts, and brought home five premierships. In the senior AFL grand final, the Lions beat Ultima by 14 points, taking revenge for a heartbreaking one-point loss the year before.

Premiership winning co-coaches Jason Aylett and James Moran have stepped down since the grand final win, making way for Mick Cattanach to return to the senior coaching role he occupied two years ago. With the folding of the Golden Rivers League, Hay Lions will move into the Central Murray League, in a much larger 16 club competition. The Lions season kicks off on April 11, travelling to meet Koondrook Barham. The Lions first home game at Hay Park will be held on round two the following week, hosting Moulamein.