The fourth Victorian Bowling League finals are being contested over two days, with the winning teams laying claim to state bragging rights and a share of the $82,000 prize pool.
The VBL has quickly grown into one of the sport’s most compelling formats, and its return to Moama feels like a homecoming.
MBC bowls operations manager Kevin Anderson was rapt to see the storied event return to the border.
“Moama last hosted the finals in the inaugural VBL season in 2022,” he said.
“We were lucky enough to compete in the finals that time and we (Moama Steamers) haven’t made finals since, hopefully hosting the finals will give our players the extra motivation required to reach finals once again.”
Moama has proven its status as a bowls theatre in recent years.
It has staged the Ultimate Bowls Championships and Bowls Premier League, drawing big crowds to Echuca-Moama.
This time, it’s the VBL that’ll have heads turning.
Over two days, 16 teams of up to six players will be tested over four sections: pairs, triples, singles, and fours with the highest ranking teams progressing to finals.
The stakes are clear: $30,000 for the winners, $15,000 for runners-up, and rewards down to eighth place, with the Player of the Series pocketing an extra $1,000.
A large kitty is matched by a significant online audience as last year’s VBL finals were streamed to more than 84,000 live viewers, with another 50,000 catching replays.
Though the home side, Moama Steamers, hasn’t qualified for finals, there is some Goulburn Valley representation within the remaining teams.
Former Shepparton Golf star Brad Orr (Club Barham Suns), Tallygaroopna’s Mark Ryan (Whittlesea Eagles) and Benalla product Koby Cromie (Yarraville Footscray) will all grace the greens over Friday and Saturday in search of glory.
All things considered, VBL4 is set to be a ripping event in Anderson’s eyes.
“It will be great to see some of Victoria’s top players rolling into town to compete in the event,” he said.
“The event has 16 class teams this year and it’s anybody's guess who will reach the finals.
“You can be assured whoever makes it will be in good form which will make for an extremely competitive event.”
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