IT’S ALMOST time to welcome the Tigers.
Macorna Football Netball Club has officially notified AFL Central Victoria of its intent to transfer to the Loddon Valley league next season, and AFLCV is hopeful of resolving the issue by the end of the month.
On Tuesday at 11am, the Golden Rivers league club lodged the paperwork to begin the process of seeking approval for the move.
AFLCV will now meet with Tigers officials to go over the reasons for choosing the Loddon Valley league after a decision was made in June to abolish the Golden Rivers competition at season’s end.
Loddon Valley clubs will then be given an opportunity to look over the application before voting on whether to accept Macorna as the league’s 10th club.
The Tigers will need at least seven of the clubs to approve the transfer, with strong support from the league’s administration expected to help smooth the process.
Loddon Valley president Richard Hicks said the clubs would come together to vote on Macorna’s application as soon as possible, but with finals being played a decision might not be possible by the end of August.
“I’m hopeful it will be a unanimous decision from the clubs,” Hicks said.
“Clubs I have spoken to over the weekend seem fairly positive about it.
“We’ll look to have it tidied up as soon as possible.”
He said a prompt decision was important for Macorna, which could then go about recruiting players with its future secured.
And on the subject of players …
Bridgewater coach and champion goalkicker Lachlan Sharp is a Macorna boy, playing his early football with the Tigers.
He is contracted for next season with the Mean Machine, but might he travel north to his old hunting ground after that?
Sharp welcomed Macorna’s likely arrival and said it would be “surreal” playing against his old club, but wouldn’t be drawn on the possibility of pulling on the yellow and black in future years.
The Marcorna move comes as Maiden Gully is tipped to make a fresh bid to join Bendigo league in 2027 and Maryborough, that stood out of senior competition in Bendigo this season, confirms it will remain a junior only club next season.