General News
15 June, 2023
'No collusion' switch pitch - Take Two
By CHRIS EARL THE future structure of football in central Victoria is back in doubt. Marong and Maiden Gully have walked from any future involvement in the fledgling AFL Central Victoria under 18 competition. The Bendigo-based Loddon Valley league...
By CHRIS EARL
THE future structure of football in central Victoria is back in doubt.
Marong and Maiden Gully have walked from any future involvement in the fledgling AFL Central Victoria under 18 competition.
The Bendigo-based Loddon Valley league clubs have lodged letters with Heathcote league signalling they want to switch competitions in 2024.
The renewed push follows Maiden Gully losing its bid to abandon the nine-club Loddon Valley league a year ago, the same time Marong backed away the 11th hour from its plans.
The Loddon Herald last Friday morning exclusively reported breaking news on the fresh foray for new pastures by the Panthers, reigning Loddon Valley league triple premiers and undefeated in all football grades this season.
Panther’s president Danny Tyler said the league switch bid was a “self-centred decision for the future pathways of juniors”.
Tyler said there had been no talks between Marong and Maiden Gully before the Panthers lodged their letter with Heathcote on Monday last week.
But within hours of news breaking, Maiden Gully also emailed off its fresh application to join Heathcote.
Eagles’ president Chris Garlick said on Tuesday his club’s application had been given to Heathcote league on Friday.
Under a new AFL rule, clubs are no loner barred from applying to switch league for two years after a rejection.
“Both the senior and junior committees of MGYCW are adamant we will have under 18 football next year and the Heathcote League provides the best competition for our new under 18 team,” Garlick said.
“Our commitment to Maiden Gully and our members is undying and we want our players to be able to remain at one club for their entire sporting career should they choose.”
Marong’s announcement to members of the switch bid came late Friday night with the club saying the AFL Central Victoria under 18 competition would not proceed in 2024. However, this has been refuted by region general manager Craig Armstead.
Tyler also said AFL Central Victoria had pleaded with Marong to give the under 18 league a chance and then, if not happy, the club would be free to move leagues.
AFL established the new league this season to reboot junior participation across the region.
All five first-season clubs have come from the Loddon Valley league - Marong, Inglewood, Bridgewater, East Loddon and the revived Pyramid Hill.
Maiden Gully dropped out of the Loddon Valley juniors at the start of 2022 and opted not to return in the new format league that AFL Central Victoria wants to see expanded.
Loddon Valley clubs last year voted that they wanted to retain Marong and Maiden Gully.
League president Simon Tuohey this week said that attitude had not changed on keeping the nine-team competition.
And it has also been confirmed that Central Murray league side Cohuina is also planning a switch to Heathcote league.