Broadford approved to join the Bendigo league for next year

The local footy club which was the home of Barry Hall has learned whether it will be welcomed into the Bendigo league, but there is a catch.

Broadford will be joining the Bendigo league. Picture: jh photography

Broadford has been given approval to join the Bendigo Football League but is not guaranteed to be fielding teams in football or netball in 2025.

AFL Victoria has confirmed the club, which was in recess in 2024 after dropping out of the Outer East Football League, will be allowed to transfer to the larger Bendigo competition.

“AFL Victoria has approved Broadford Football Netball Club’s request to transfer to the Bendigo Football Netball League,” a statement from AFL Victoria said.

But whether the club is ready to join the league in 2025 or whether it needs to remain in recess until 2026 is still to be determined.

“Broadford FNC’s leadership is undertaking immediate work to determine the optimal timelines for successful integration into the BFNL to ensure that the club is in a strong and sustainable position to resume competing, after going into recess for the 2024 season,” AFL Victoria said.

“The club will work closely with the Bendigo FNL and AFL Central Victoria through next steps, before confirmation about when it competes in the Bendigo FNL is provided.

“AFL Victoria is supportive of this approach and will continue to offer the club and league support through the process to get Broadford FNC back onto the field.”

This means the Kangaroos, whose most famous export is Barry Hall, could still remain on the sidelines for 2025 while they build towards joining Bendigo league seniors in 2026 and beyond.