Mallee Football League down to five clubs as Meningie, Border Downs Tintinara announce merger for 2023 River Murray competition

A struggling grassroots footy league says it’s “annoyed” one of its strongest clubs will leave to another competition in 2023. Hear from the clubs and the leagues involved.

A grassroots footy league says it was ‘annoyed’ about the news one of its clubs would leave to another competition as part of a historic merger for the 2023 season.

The Mallee Football League (MFL) is set to be reduced to just five clubs after the Border Downs Tintinara Crows and Meningie Bears (River Murray Football League) last week announced they had agreed in principle to merge and play in the RMFL as early as next year.

The Crows – who have a history of success in the MFL including 11 premierships in the last 20 years – were approached by Meningie in 2021 and after both clubs consulted with members and their communities, they eventually decided to merge.

“They (Border Downs Tintinara) jumped the gun a little bit I think,” MFL president Ken Schutz said.

“They’re doing it tough at the moment but other clubs have been through patches like these and stuck it out.

“We’re a bit annoyed in a way but ultimately they can do whatever they like and we respect their decision.”

The Border Downs Tintinara Crows celebrate their 2021 Mallee Football League premiership. The club will depart for the River Murray Football League next season. Picture: Border Downs Tintinara Football Club

The league, which will be contested by Karoonda, Lameroo, Murrayville (based across the border in Victoria), Peake and Pinnaroo, have seen player and volunteer numbers dwindle during Covid, leading to rumours of its eventual discontinuation.

Schutz was adamant that was not the case.

“I definitely disagree with the notion we won’t be around, we had five clubs before Border Downs Tintinara entered the league,” Schutz said.

“Numbers have taken a bit of a hit but these clubs are the life of their towns and want to continue and rebuild.

“There are positives too – we’ll now have a bye each week, which lessens the load on players and volunteers and provides an opportunity for players to play country championships since they usually reject that chance in favour of a rest that weekend.

Meningie players during this season's RMFL Indigenous Round. The club will merge with Border Downs Tintinara for season 2023 and onwards. Picture: Meningie Football Club

“Certainly in the short term we’ll be around and if we have to restructure some things down the line so be it.”

Border Downs Tintinara president Michael Kempe said the merger was in the best interests of the Crows’ future.

“We’ve been quite successful so it has probably come as a surprise to some,” Kempe said.

“Leaving Mallee was the hardest part but it’s somewhat of a fragile league because it’s cross-border.

“We hope the merger will provide long term sustainability within our community and give our kids the opportunity without having to travel, and to a satisfactory standard – it’s become unenjoyable for the juniors.”

Meningie president Adam Hearle said the merger would boost player stock.

Former Crows midfielder and current Meningie player Brodie Martin. Bears president Adam Hearle said the merger would make it easier to recruit strong talent. Picture: Tait Schmaal

“We didn’t play in 2020 due to low player numbers and at the end of the day a merge was the best solution for juniors and seniors,” he said.

“It’s now going to be easier to recruit players and we’ll also have three communities coming together to bolster numbers at all levels.”

Michelle Hill, president of the RMFL, was also buoyant on Meningie’s behalf.

“They’ve been struggling for junior numbers and even reserves numbers. They also haven’t had an U18s team for a number of years.

“We’re hoping that will come to an end now and we’re thrilled they’re amalgamating and will be here for the long term.”