Bendigo league set to retain it’s five team finals format

A country league is set to retain it’s finals system despite a reduction in clubs. Here is what we know.

Gisborne’s Zac Denahy takes a pack mark earlier this season. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

It could be easier for Bendigo league clubs to make finals next year with the competition set to retain its finals format despite reduced sides in 2025.

This masthead can reveal the league is set to keep its top-five finals format for 2025 with eight teams competing.

Last week, Maryborough announced it was going into recess for 2025 after struggling with player numbers and losing every game in seniors this season.

There is still a chance for the competition to be nine teams with Broadford joining the league after being in recess last year.

The Kangaroos recently won approval from AFL Victoria to join the competition.

But this masthead understands the Kangaroos entering the senior competition may not happen next year with a likely 2026 starting date more plausible.

Maryborough Kya Lanfranchi battles Golden Square’s Jayden Burke for the ball. The loss of Maryborough could leave Bendigo with eight teams next year. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

If Bendigo goes to eight teams it would be the only major league at the moment where more than 60 per cent of teams make finals.

The Sunraysia and Wimmera are next, with 55 per cent, with others either at 50 per cent of just over more than half.

If Ballarat retains it’s six team finals competition then it would rise to 60 per cent, with Melton South leaving, but it would still be short of where Bendigo is heading.

See below for a full wrap of the major leagues and how many makes finals.

Note: The finals systems and teams for other leagues is based on the 2024 season. Bendigo is based on 2025 and eight teams.

Bendigo wouldn’t be the highest league in the state with teams making finals.

Upper Murray, a four team competition in the northeast, has all teams making finals with the Golden Rivers, Millewa and Omeo District leagues having 66 per cent of teams making the finals.

Bendigo league manager Tom King confirmed it would remain at five teams for finals next year and added a decision on what happens with Broadford and their playing capacity would be finalised sometime next week.

He said if any changes happened to the finals structure it would be made following that decision but it was unlikely to happen.