Melton South looks to return to the Riddell District league

Melton South could be on the cusp of a return to its former competition with a major meeting called to discuss the club’s future.

Melton South’s Darby Schilder tries to tackle Darley’s Brett Bewley earlier this year. Melton South’s days in the Ballarat league could be numbered. Picture: Andy Brownbill

A return to the Riddell District league for the first time in 28 years could be on the cards for Melton South.

The Panthers have called a special general meeting for August 21 to, according to the club, discuss it’s club structure and affiliation.

Speculation is rife the club is looking to move to the Riddell District league, which would be a return to the competition.

Formed in 1973 the team played in the competition for 23 years before moving to the Ballarat league in 1997.

The only premiership for the club, in senior football, came in the league in 1994.

In the Ballarat league, the team made the grand final in 2001, losing to Melton, but in recent years success has not come in senior football.

It’s been a struggle for the club, losing 36 matches in a row and last winning in 2022.

It’s led to speculation throughout the year of what the future in the Ballarat league would look like.

In June, when the team lost by 174 points to Lake Wendouree, the club president Matthew Collins said ‘nothing was off the table’ with relation to the future.

This masthead contacted Collins who said he would not be making comment about the meeting until it happened on August 21.