Pinnaroo and Lameroo form ‘Southern Mallee Suns’, club vote in store for River Murray Football League

Local SA footy’s newest club has officially been founded and announced, but it still awaits approval to enter a new competition for season 2023.

Local SA footy and netball has a new club after two former Mallee Football League outfits merged to create one identity.

The Pinnaroo and Lameroo football and netball clubs have officially merged to create the ‘Southern Mallee Football and Netball Club’ after the disbanding of the Mallee Football League and will make a bid to enter the River Murray Football League for season 2023.

Nicknamed the Suns, the club officially announced its foundation on Tuesday night – after a recent AGM between Lameroo and Pinnaroo – and could be one of two outfits to join the RMFL, pending a merger between the Karoonda Magpies and Peake Lions.

“There is much excitement among the communities that, for those with a passion for football and netball, there is an opportunity to continue into 2023,” A Southern Mallee Football and Netball Club spokesperson told The Messenger.

“The Southern Mallee Futures Committee has been working hard for the past two months to progress the formation of a new club and there were lots of positive consultations between the communities, the league (RMFL) and the committee.

The Southern Mallee Suns' new logo in the club's colours – orange, charcoal and white. The concept of merging the yellow of Lameroo with the Red of Pinnaroo to make orange was important for both clubs. Picture: Southern Mallee Football and Netball Club

“155 members of the newly formed club showed their excitement at the AGM and a mutual respect has been founded between members and communities which will be a major component in making us resilient and sustainable for the future.”

The announcement new club’s arrival has created significant buzz and positivity in the Mallee and River Murray region.

However, the sporting future of the communities may still hang in the balance as the club seeks acceptance into the RMFL.

“While no official acceptance has been gained from the RMFL and River Murray Netball Association, all communication has been very positive and supportive to date,” the spokesperson said.

“During recent weeks, they have received our club’s letter of intent, proposal document and letter of application, visited premises’ and facilities.”

Lameroo (right) in action during the 2021 Mallee FL season. Picture: Lameroo Hawks Football Club

RMFL president Michelle Hill said whether the Suns enter for 2023 or not would be up to the competition’s clubs.

Hill was also of the belief new clubs would be of benefit to the league.

“The RMFL executive committee is very open to the Southern Mallee Suns joining, however it is a decision voted on by the clubs of the league,” Hill said.

“The RMFL could go from a seven-team to possibly a nine-team competition which would suit us well as seven teams has many drawbacks – we play two full rounds and then five extra games to get to eight home games for each club, and each club currently has three byes.

“With nine clubs we would have two full rounds of football and only two byes per club, and we would also start later in the season whereas we usually started the earliest in the state.

RMFL president Michelle Hill said there would be a positive change to the structure of the competition if the Southern Mallee Suns were to join. Picture: River Murray Football League

“The negative impact for some may be the extra travel … but for the good of small communities still being able to play the sports they love, this should only be a small issue.”

While the SMFNC will form the rest of its board throughout the next week, it has locked in former Lameroo player and Pinnaroo premiership playing coach Nick Hyde as coach, and hopes it can also begin to construct a strong playing contingent.

“With members and executive committee being formed one of our next steps is to work on retaining and signing up new players for season 2023.

“Several surveys over recent weeks have also indicated that our volunteers will continue to support the club in its new direction.”

The new club would also need approval from the SANFL and all involved parties hope to have reached a decision by the end of November.

Anyone interested in being part of the Southern Mallee Suns is encouraged to contact [e-mail]