Blockbusters aplenty as Gippy' League releases 2023 fixture

The official season 2023 fixture for the Gippsland League has been released. 

The schedule features 18 home and away matches with the season set to kick off on April 1, 2023, before all clubs take a break over the Easter weekend.  

The finals series will begin in the first weekend of September with the Grand Final scheduled for September 23. 

Once again great emphasis has been placed on factoring in the clubs’ requests for fixtures to maximize their marquee games. 

The first round of competition will see a number of key matchups and local rivalries headlined by the Western Derby between Drouin and Warragul on the opening Sunday of Round 1. 

Other matches include Wonthaggi Power hosting Sale with both sides fancied to feature deep in September action again in senior football. 

Moe open their account against fellow Latrobe Valley side Morwell, Bairnsdale take on their neighbouring rivals Maffra in a twilight schedule, while the annual Round 1 Traralgon v Leongatha matchday is set to start the season once again. 

This year’s draw has produced several feature rounds with Round 3 (ANZAC Round) continuing to be a showcase schedule of games. 

Traralgon and Morwell will playoff under lights on the Saturday night at Traralgon Showgrounds, Sale will host Maffra in the Battle of the Birds while Bairnsdale and Drouin will be a feature clash in East Gippsland due to a split round in the local League on that weekend. 

One of the great traditions is the Rivalry Round and this year this will feature during the July school holidays in Round 12.

In a salivating schedule of games for fans of football and netball, Wonthaggi Power host South Gippsland counterparts Leongatha, Bairnsdale feature against Sale on Sunday and the Western Derby will also a feature on the Sunday. 

Valley rivals Morwell host Moe and Traralgon take on Maffra at home. 

The Grand Final rematches in the premier grades are scheduled for Round 4 with Senior premiers Leongatha hosting Sale while Morwell A Grade will play their Grand Final rematch in the traditional scheduled match against Leongatha in Round 6 on the lead into Mother’s Day which the clubs use to promote Pink Ribbon Day. 

The annual Mental Health Round and Orange Round themed events will be occurring during the 2023 season and will be scheduled at a later date.