Club talks start amid ‘bring it home’

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“When will the commission get some teeth in the game and be proactive rather than reactive for the sake of all our local communities that rely on that participation and social interaction, not just success,” he said.

AFL Central Victoria is coming under pressure to address the medium-term structure of football across the region as leagues and clubs grow frustrated with what risks becoming an annual bid by Marong and Maiden Gully to jump leagues.

Several seasoned Loddon Valley observers believe the commission should lead a restructure that creates eight or 10-team leagues.

They are frustrated that under new rules, the clubs could apply every year to switch leagues, destabalising sport in country areas.

Heathcote league already has nine clubs with three - Marong, Maiden Gully and Cohuna - at varying stages in wanting to join.

While not within AFL Central Victoria, Maryborough Castlemaine league has 16 clubs stretching from Navarre on the edge of the Wimmera to the now peri-urban

Melbourne satellite town of Trentham. Maryborough-based clubs Royal Park and Rovers will merge after this season.

The league also includes Maldon and Dunolly, previously part of Bendigo or Loddon Valley competitions.

Armstead said AFL Central Victoria commission regularly discussed the medium and long-term future of football and netball “across our region which includes competition structures”.

There have been multiple reviews on football structure, the last in 2018 on third tier (junior) competition.

Among proposals were: z Develop a method to facilitate the movement of players not required by clubs; z Develop a system for clubs who have excess players to assist transition to a new club and keep players playing football; z Develop a system to assist players who are in excess to their clubs’ requirements to find a club who requires additional players prior to the season and develop a system to assist players who have not been provided a game at their current club to find a club who requires additional players during the season.

Maiden Gully has indicated it would seek exceptional circumstances for consideration of its league switch bid.

But Armstead said: “Under the revised AFL Victoria country rules for 2023 clubs cannot apply for exceptional circumstances, only leagues. Therefore, AFL Central Victoria have not granted any exceptions to Maiden Gully YCW nor any other clubs.”

Formal league transfer applications can be lodged from August 1.

Pyramid Hill, who reformed its junior football side this season after a threeyear break and competes against Marong, Bridgewater, Inglewood and East Loddon, said tonight’s special meeting was to have the club ready to make a quick decision on changes if needed.

“We know football and netball clubs play an important role in rural communities, and decisions made can have farreaching effects beyond the club itself,”

Moon said. “Your input and active participation play a vital role in shaping the future direction of our club and the decisions made by representatives on its behalf. We are committed to ensuring that all perspectives are heard.”