The Maryborough Giants unveiled as new name for merged team next year

Two country footy clubs who could be set to merge at the end of the season have revealed what their new identity could become. Here’s what lays ahead.

There could be a Giant addition to the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League next season if a proposed merger goes ahead.

The Maryborough Rovers and Royal Park Tigers have unveiled plans to be called the Maryborough Giants and form a new club if both amalgamate this year.

Both clubs recently showcased the new club to their members as they prepare to vote on their futures in coming months.

It comes after both clubs announced earlier this year a merger was on the cards after a working party was formed to explore the possibility of forming a new side.

Maryborough Rovers vice president Mark Raven said while all avenues were looked at what the new club could look like, making a fresh start was found to be the right decision by the working party.

“It will be a brand new club, a brand new name and jumper,” he said.

“Effectively (it will be) similar to the GWS Giants. From the working party’s perspective and our committees and from AFL Victoria it was felt that a fresh start was needed.

“It’s very divisive when we tried to join names.

“There would be some sections of people who would be upset if their name wasn’t first or if there was as many colours in the jumper as prominent (as others).”

Raven said the new club would still incorporate the history of both clubs while creating a legacy with the new club.

“We would be displaying the current logo of both clubs on the footy jumpers and netball dresses,” he said.

“We will have some signage (of both clubs) still up and about that will display the clubs somehow.

“We’ve even mooted ideas of doing heritage rounds.

“One year it could be the Royal Park jumper we roll out and the next could be the Rovers jumper.”

The Greater Western Sydney Giants jersey at their launch as a club. Maryborough’s new team could look like this next year. Picture: Michael Dodge

Raven said the club would likely have its headquarters at the current home ground of Royal Park, Hedges Park, as the Rovers currently play between two venues and it made sense to use the Tigers facilities.

He’s also confident the move is likely to happen, after both clubs talked to members, supporters and players about the proposed merger.

“There were questions and the obvious questions were asked, it was a positive meeting,” Raven said.

“Rovers are reasonably confident there won’t be many no votes. They (Royal Park) are feeling a bit the same.

“They are quietly confident that there are enough members up there that realise this is something that has got to happen whether they like it or not.”

The vote comes as Maryborough Rovers and Royal Park prepare to start their seasons.

The Tigers take on Carisbrook at home on Saturday with the Rovers taking on Avoca on Sunday at home.

The Rovers and Avoca game was originally meant to be held at Avoca’s home ground but was moved as their venue wasn’t able to host in the first couple of rounds after flooding impacted the ground during the off-season.

Maryborough Rovers enter the season with the longest losing streak in the competition with 24 straight defeats.

It’s been a tough two years for the Maryborough Rovers but the club is hopeful of getting some wins this year. Picture: Rob Leeson.

The team fancies its chances of ending it against Avoca but know the Bulldogs will be keen to start the season on the right foot after facing challenges over the past few months.

“First and foremost we just want to make sure we are competitive this year, it has been a struggle the past two years that is for sure,” Raven said.

“We believe we are going to be a lot more competitive, we will be putting eight to 10 new blokes in the team and there are reasonably good footballers in and amongst that.

“We are optimistic about this weekend.”

If the club can’t get the elusive win this weekend, it might come later this year when the club get a new recruit courtesy of the Carlton Draft.

The promotion, which sees former AFL greats turn out for country clubs, has picked the Rovers as one of the clubs this year to get a star.

Either Nathan Buckley, David Mundy, Josh Kennedy, Bernie Vince, Kane Cornes or Jordan Lewis will play at some time this year.

“That was a good bonus for us,” Raven said.

“It would be a great thrill for the boys (players). Whoever it is would be a great bonus but I think Nathan Buckley would be a great drawcard for the area.

“David Mundy and Josh Kennedy have not been long out of the game so they’d be good one’s to have as well.