AFL Gippsland plans to scrap under-16 and 18 competitions in favour of under league

TEENAGERS would have to play against grown men and boys forced to take on players up to three years older under a contentious proposed shake up of Victorian country football.

TEENAGERS would have to play against grown men and boys forced to take on players up to three years older under a contentious proposed shake up of Victorian country football.

Under-16 and 18 competitions would be dumped in favour of a new under-17 division under draft recommendations being considered by AFL Gippsland.

It means 14-year-old kids would play against 17-year-olds depending on their birthdate and regardless of how physical developed or mature they may be.

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Kids aged 17 when the footy season starts next year would be forced to play senior football at 54 clubs across six Gippsland leagues, raising concerns for the safety of smaller players.

Parents and clubs have urged AFL Gippsland to dump the proposal, worried kids will get hurt by bigger bodied opponents several years older.

The proposal — one of several recommendations proposed in an AFL Gippsland “Leagues and competitions review’’— has also sparked concerns that hundreds of players may give the game away.

It could be be followed in other parts of the state if deemed successful.

Ellinbank Junior Football Club president Martin Auldist said 17-year-old players would be forced to play reserves or seniors irrespective of their ability or physical maturity.

“This is not allowed in actual AFL so why is it set to become mandatory in country footy?’’ he said.

“Kids will get smashed. Where is the duty of care?’’

Chris Gardiner, 27 and Cal Auldist, 16, at Ellinbank Recreation Reserve. Picture: Jason Edwards

AFL Gippsland has proposed scrapping under 16s in every league except its “premier’’Gippsland Football League, citing difficulty recruiting and retaining players.

AFL Gippsland Region general manager Ben Joske said “careful consideration’’ would be given to “concerns regarding the three-year age gap between under-14 and under-17 competitions” before final decisions were made.

“Part of the rationale behind the proposal to alter age groups structures to accommodate under-17 competitions in place of existing under-16 and under-18 age groups in some leagues, was to provide a more sustainable age group structure, based on consistent participation numbers for players in the 15 to 18-year age bracket over the past 10 years,’’ he said.

Chris Gardiner, 27 and Cal Auldist, 16, at Ellinbank Recreation Reserve. Picture: Jason Edwards

“By streamlining junior structures we can reduce the number of times players need to participate in multiple games in a single weekend to enable clubs to field a full complement of teams, as has often been the case in recent seasons.’’

But Mr Auldist said any 17-year-old who could not get a game in senior or reserve grades would be lost from the game.

His son Cal will turn 17 in November and this year played his 100th match as an underage player in Ellinbank’s under 18s.

But if the AFL’s recommendations come into play, Ellinbank won’t have an under 18’s team so he will have to try and get a game in a senior footy squad that already has 45 on its list.

“Have a look at the size of him,’’ Mr Auldist said.

Action from the Mid Gippsland Football League grand finals at Morwell Recreation Reserve. Picture: Getty Images

“Suggesting that he and his mates should have to play senior football next year is nothing short of ludicrous and unfair.’’

Mr Joske said the report was more than six months in the making and designed to keep clubs competitive.

But clubs are also upset the report was lumped on them deep in the finals and they were given just two weeks to respond.

A meeting to discuss the draft recommendations, which also propose club mergers, creation of a new senior league and taking pressure of volunteers, will be held on Tuesday.

Final rulings are expected on Friday.

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