Ballarat league ‘likely’ to remain at 10 teams for next year.

With Melton South departing, the Ballarat league has been left with 10 teams for the 2025 season but “future planning” means a replacement could be found for the Panthers.

Melton South’s Darby Schilder tries to stop Darley’s Brett Bewley during a match earlier this year. With Melton South out the league is now down to 10 teams. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The Ballarat league concedes it’s highly unlikely another team will join the senior competition next year, leaving the league with 10 for 2025.

Melton South recently won approval from the Riddell District league to join its competition next year.

The Panthers got 79 per cent of clubs agreeing to the move, which is now expected to be ratified by AFL Victoria with no resistance from the Ballarat league.

It now leaves the question of what does Ballarat do for their future.

Does the league actively pursue another team to create the bye again or will the league stay with 10 teams?

Ballarat league board director Rob Simmonds said timing will dictate their position for next year.

“I think 2025 is going to be just the 10-team competition,” he said.

“Looking at the timing of it, we are going through finals and then everyone will want to down tool for a couple of weeks after grand final period.

“I don’t think there is going to be any time to run around and do any recruiting.”

Darley won last year’s premiership in the Ballarat league. Picture: Hamish Blair

Simmonds did reveal the league would be actively pursuing a team to join in 2026.

The rumour for the past few years has been Gisborne, given their proximity to Ballarat sides Melton, Sunbury, Bacchus Marsh and Darley.

The board director added the pursuit would also focus on other areas particularly Ballarat and the western corridor and the junior clubs

“We will from now, through 2025, start looking at some future planning,” Simmonds said.

“The key is working with City of Ballarat, especially with their infrastructure master plan.

“Where are they going to be putting resources in for sport and recreation facilities?

“So do we create a club new there, do we split a club and start one over there.

“Do we have a Mount Clear, Ballarat Storm or Woady Yallock that ends up becoming a senior club.

“They are all options we need to look at.”

Simmonds said adding another club east of Ballarat is also an option.

“Could another club out in the Bacchus Marsh area pop up?” he said.

“Who knows potentially in three to five years with their population boost there might be something out there.”

The Ballarat league grand final will be held this Saturday between Melton and East Point.