Sport
19 January, 2024
Eagles take side door to league switch
MAIDEN Gully is pushing ahead with plans to have its under 18 side in the Bendigo Football League this season despite rejection last month by the AFL commissioners. The latest bid was confirmed with statements to some media outlets last week by the...
MAIDEN Gully is pushing ahead with plans to have its under 18 side in the Bendigo Football League this season despite rejection last month by the AFL commissioners.
The latest bid was confirmed with statements to some media outlets last week by the Maiden Gully junior club.
Maiden Gully YCW clubs have separate senior and junior entities and now wants the junior club approved for entry into the Bendigo league.
Loddon Valley league had successfully appealed Bendigo’s acceptance of the senior club application and was unaware of the latest plans when they were announced.
President Simon Tuohey said last week the league still wanted Maiden Gully to field an under 18 side in the local competition.
Maiden Gully has stood out of local junior ranks for two seasons but had cited youth pathways for bids to switch leagues.
The Eagles had originally wanted to head into Heathcote league but after being rejected, launched efforts to be accepted by the Bendigo league.
Maiden Gully junior club president Mick Sheahan has not responded to Loddon Herald inquiries on the club’s latest move.
However, club sources last year told the Loddon Herald there would be an under 18 side this season “but don’t back it being in Loddon Valley”.
As reported in the Loddon Herald last year, the Eagles’ junior push is tied to ultimately seeing its senior teams become Bendigo’s 10th club.
Loddon Valley will take back running of the local juniors this season after the one-year experiment of an AFL Central Victoria competition failed to attract teams from other leagues.
Bridgewater, Inglewood, East Loddon, Pyramid Hill and Marong are expected to again field junior sides with Newbridge recruiting over summer for the Maroons’ return to the competition after missing three seasons.
- CHRIS EARL