General News
15 August, 2025
Tigers make call: It's Loddon Valley in 2026
MACORNA Football Netball Club’s playing future remains up in the air, with the Golden Rivers league club given a two-week extension to decide its plans for next season. With Golden Rivers scheduled to fold at the end of the season, Macorna has...
UPDATE: Macorna will apply to join Loddon Valley for the 2026 season.
MACORNA Football Netball Club’s playing future remains up in the air, with the Golden Rivers league club given a two-week extension to decide its plans for next season.
With Golden Rivers scheduled to fold at the end of the season, Macorna has been weighing options including requesting a transfer to the Loddon Valley league.
Alternatives include seeking to move to the Central Murray league or the Picola District league.
Last Friday, AFL Central Victoria gave the Tigers an extra fortnight to resolve the issue, which new club president Tenielle Edge said would be used to consult further with members.
She said the club was intent on reaching a decision with which most members were comfortable.
“We want a future,” Edge told the Loddon Herald.
Ideally, that future was a long-term one.
“You don’t want to be doing this all again in 12 months,” she said.
“But in the current climate, with every league, I’m not sure you can make a decision to cover more than 12 months.
“I’m not sure there is a league that’s not worried about its future.”
Ultima, one of the other five clubs in the Golden Rivers competition, has been granted a move to the Central Murray league, with Hay, Moulamein, Murrabit and Wandella likely to follow.
However, some Central Murray clubs are reportedly unhappy with a rule change which removed their voting rights on issues such as club transfers.
The Picola option could involve a separate division comprised of the five remaining Golden Rivers clubs in a kind of mini league that would alleviate travel concerns.
“We’re not going to be able to please everybody,” Edge said.
“It’s hard on the committee – we’re all volunteers – to be making a decision that could result in making people leave. “I think we have a strong future; we’ve got a great membership base and a great support network.”
While a one-win season had been disappointing, “we are a lot more than just results”.
The Northern Futures Project, led by the Central Rivers League Board – representing the Central Murray and Golden Rivers leagues with support from AFL Central Victoria – recommended in June that Golden Rivers be wound up at the end of the season.
It called for expansion of the Central Murray league and encouraged clubs to also consider mergers.
- GARY WALSH