Two-tier competition on agenda for Riddell District Football League, says AFL Goldfields boss Rod Ward

AFL Goldfields says the plight of several struggling Riddell District Football League clubs has added “further weight” to a push for the competition to be split into two divisions.

Diggers Rest and Lancefield have had contrasting fortunes in the RDFL in recent years. Picture: Andy Brownbill

AFL Goldfields says the plight of several struggling Riddell District Football League clubs has added “further weight” to a push for the competition to be split into two divisions.

The RDFL’s smaller clubs noted their desire for a two-tiered competition in AFL Goldfields’ Senior Competition Review last year.

Gisborne and Kyneton do battle in the Bendigo Football League. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Ballarat league clubs Sunbury, Melton and Melton South and Bendigo league outfit Gisborne have been mooted as possible entrants to a reformed RDFL Division 1.

But AFL Goldfields general manager Rod Ward said there had been reluctance from some clubs to leave the Ballarat league.

“That was another thing that contributed to the continuation of the status quo,” Ward said.

“There was equally strong feedback from the smaller regional clubs in the RDFL (in favour).

“They felt there needed to be some changes to the structure of the RDFL for it to have a sustainable future.”

In the opening five rounds of 2018, 12 RDFL matches have been decided by 97 points or more and games involving bottom-three teams Lancefield, Rockbank and Broadford and top-six sides resulted in an average margin of 134 points.

Premiership contender Diggers Rest demolished Broadford by 267 points in Round 2, while Wallan hammered Lancefield by 191 and Rockbank by 187.

Rockbank has only won four games in the past three years after finishing 2014 with a 9-7 record, while Broadford tumbled from 12 victories in 2016 to a winless campaign last season.

Lancefield only triumphed in two games last year and its sole win in 2018 has been against Broadford, a 103-point trouncing in Round 3.

In contrast, Diggers Rest has reached four of the past five grand finals and contested a preliminary final last season.

The Burras, Riddell and Rupertswood have qualified for finals in each of the past five years, while Romsey and Macedon have earned finals berths in four of the past five seasons.

Macedon and Rupertswood lock horns in last year’s RDFL grand final. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Woodend-Hesket, Melton Centrals and Lancefield have not achieved a top-six finish during that period.

“We have already discussed the results so far this year,” Ward said.

“It is on our radar and I am sure there will be another review into the competition structure in the near future.

“Whether it’s going to be next year or the year after remains to be seen.”

Ward said the commission had several options available to help battling clubs, including increasing their player points allowance.

“They still have to have the financial resources to recruit players,” he said.

“As many clubs will attest, the secret to a long-term, sustainable future is a healthy junior structure.

“We need strong relationships between senior and junior clubs.”

He said any changes to the RDFL structure were unlikely to take place next year, but added “there could be some opportunities for change further down the track.”

“All it does, it adds further weight to the argument we need to do something to assist those struggling clubs,” he said.

The review, released in December last year, suggested the RDFL would remain a one-division league until at least 2020.

“We have got to look to anything that is going to ensure clubs have the ability to have a sustainable future,” Ward said.