AFL sure it won’t lose more country football leagues

THE AFL is confident it won’t lose any other regional football leagues following Picola District Football and Netball League’s shock decision to sever ties with AFL Victoria over governance gripes.

THE AFL is confident it won’t lose any other regional football leagues following Picola District Football and Netball League’s shock decision to sever ties with AFL Victoria over governance gripes.

PICOLA DISTRICT FOOTBALL AND NETBALL CLUB CUTS TIES WITH AFL

COUNTRY FOOTY CLUBS READY TO TURN THEIR BACKS ON AFL

COUNTRY FOOTY LEAGUES DIG IN HEELS OVER AFL VICTORIA’S RESTRUCTURE OF GAME

League chief executive Gillon McLachlan expressed his surprise the PDFNL refused to sign an affiliation agreement with AFL Goulburn Valley this week — as revealed in Tuesday’s Herald Sun — but believed they would be the only country league who would be going it alone.

He rejected suggestions a handful of other leagues are considering withdrawing from affiliation with one of the 13 regional commissions set up from a review into country football in 2011.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan. Picture: AFL Media

“I think 67 of the 72 leagues are affiliated. There are four who are just finalising the negotiations and there is one, the Picola League, which expressed a sentiment on the front page of the Herald Sun that they are not going to sign,” McLachlan said.

“I didn’t even know about that (Picola’s decision) until (Tuesday) morning.”

The Picola District Football and Netball League insist they will save $80,000 per year by dramatically cutting its ties to AFL Victoria, saying its insurance costs would drop from $117,000 to less than $40,000.

But the decision means the league — which has 17 clubs under its umbrella — would also lose access to the TAC Pathway programs for promising young and senior players, as well as Auskick support for its juniors.

The Waaia Bombers are part of the Picola District Football Netball League which will go it alone in 2018. Picture: Mark Stewart

McLachlan questioned whether the insurance the PDFNL would access without AFL Victoria’s support would be adequate.

“AFL Victoria runs a great show and they will work it through,” McLachlan said. “I would be surprised (if any other league did not sign the affiliation) given that it means you are properly covered with insurance.”

“(If you are affiliated) you are part of the player pathway, you get help with coaching, umpiring, all the things that happen through affiliation.

“It would be an interesting decision (not to sign). We run a decentralised model, we have (13) regional commissions. In the end, we want the ownership of these decisions to be with the leagues and with the regions.

“I just think the support you get through affiliation is a model that works, but it is a decision for Picola.”