AFL Victoria cuts funding to offset costs of staging interleague matches

A decreasing amount of money country footy leagues banked on to cover costs of staging interleague matches has gone. See the reaction.

Financial support from AFL Victoria for staging interleague country footy matches has stopped, in a move that could fast-track their total demise due to soaring costs to put them on.

Representative matches between leagues have been played for 70 years and games between the Ovens & Murray and Goulburn Valley, Hampden and Ballarat and Central Murray and Sunraysia are planned for next year.

Bendigo is also hosting a return bout with the Victorian Amateurs.

But the opportunity to apply for $3000 from AFL Victoria to offset costs of up to $30,000 won’t be available after the amount was cut in half from 2023 to this year.

Leagues previously learnt in mid-December if they were successful with applications for funding.

“Interleague football holds value for some leagues across the state and provides players from participating leagues with an opportunity to compete at a higher level,” an AFL Victoria spokesman said.

“However in considering the game’s priorities across community football, participation programs, volunteers and facilities, the intention is for these funds to be directed to other areas of the game in 2025.

“AFL Victoria is supportive of the concept of interleague football and will continue to get behind these games in other ways.”

VCFL 1980 players Ross Weightman, left, and Michael Robertson. Picture: Glenn Milne

But Michael Robertson, who played in the first Victorian Country team in 1980 and has been a lifelong supporter of interleague matches, said the AFL’s priorities were wrong.

“AFL Vic’s support of interleague footy is pathetic to be honest,” he said.

“It was an absolute honour to represent your league and the VCFL once.

“How do they expect the leagues to cover costs of accommodation, jumpers?”

Central Murray president Donald Willox said his league would need to “get some grants” to cover the lost funding.

“We’re committed to having interleague again because it’s a great experience, particularly for the younger players,” he said.

Goulburn Valley defeated O&M in their interleague match this year. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

O&M interleague teams since Covid have included two players drafted by AFL clubs, Joe Richards and Riley Bice.

“The O&M values interleague and sees it as an investment in our brand,” league chairman David Sinclair said.

“It’s disappointing that it doesn’t receive the support it deserves from our peak body.

“In the short-term we intend to continue to participate and give our players an opportunity to be exposed at a higher level and the opportunities that this can open up.”

Originally published as AFL Victoria cuts funding to offset costs of staging interleague matches