Deniliquin will field a rugby league team for the first time in 48 years

By Jamie Parsons 

The Deniliquin Blueheelers will return to regular competition football for the first time in 48 years in 2025 after confirmation their men’s team had reached the required registrations before the end of February. After a short-lived revival in the early 90s as the Deniliquin Raiders in the Goulburn Murray League, the Blueheelers will return to the revived Group 17 competition where they first competed, winning three straight first grade competitions from 1969-71 before folding in 1977.

The Proten Cup officially welcomed Deniliquin to the competition last week. Their men’s side will play in the 7-team draw, hosting Round 6 on the 5th July where they will play Ivanhoe. Their first game will be against Hillston in Ivanhoe, May 24th. Unfortunately the women’s team was unable to meet the requirements, though several interested players from Deniliquin may still turn out for other clubs.

Congratulations has to be extended to Deniliquin President Kurt Longford for his hard work in creating the club again from scratch, and condolences to Kurt and the club on the recent loss of Kurt’s mother and club secretary Pauline Longford. 

PROTEN CUP DRAW REVEALED

With the confirmation of Deniliquin’s involvement, the official Proten Cup draw has been revealed. Barellan will host the knockout as the six-year cycle has restarted, opening the comp on May 10th. The rounds will then follow with:

• Round 1 – Ivanhoe, May 24th
• Round 2 – Barellan, May 31st
• Long Weekend General Bye – June 7th
• Round 3 – Goolgowi, June 14th
• Round 4 – Narrandera, June 21st
• Round 5 – Hillston, June 28th
• Round 6 – Deniliquin, July 5th
• Round 7 – Rankins Springs, July 12th
• Semi-Finals – July 19th
• Preliminary Finals – July 26th
• Grand Finals – Hillston, August 2nd

With only six teams in the women’s competition, their draw differs from the men’s slightly. Each round will see one men’s team with a bye, while the equivalent women’s team will play Deniliquin’s opponents. E.g. in Round 1 Rankins Springs has a bye in the men’s draw and Deniliquin play Hillston. In the corresponding women’s game, Hillston will play Rankins Springs instead. This means the women’s teams will have 7 games over the season and no byes.

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Some highlights of the draw include:

Women’s:

Barellan v Ivanhoe, Round 3 & Round 6

The back-to-back grand finalists play each other twice again in 2025, once in Goolgowi and again in unfamiliar Deniliquin.

Narrandera v Rankins Springs, Round 3 & Round 7

An outstanding golden point semi-final at Rankins Springs last season has built up a rivalry here.

Goolgowi v Hillston, Round 2 & Round 3

These two traditional rivals both missed the finals last season and will play back-to-back either side of the long weekend. If one can win both games, they’ll be well placed to make the finals again. 

Men’s:

Deniliquin v Hillston, Round 1

All eyes will be on the Blue Heelers in their first hit-out, playing the Bluebirds in the 12pm game at Ivanhoe.

Barellan v Ivanhoe, Round 3

Both teams fell agonisingly short last season, eliminated in golden point finals. Both will be expected to improve this season and this early match-up might be the test of who finishes top 2.

Goolgowi v Hillston, Round 3

The Rabbitohs host the Bluebirds at home for the first time since 2018. The rivals have met the least of any two teams in the comp, and both looking to bounce back from bottom 2 finishes. There will be a lot of feeling here.

Narrandera v Rankins Springs, Round 7

The grand final rematch will be left until the last round. Narrandera gave the Dragons a rare defeat at home in the major semi, but the Dragons have current bragging rights after the premiership win.