Country leagues ready to turn back on AFL as negotiations reach deadlock

COUNTRY football leagues are ready to turn their back on the AFL as negotiations over control of the game hit a deadlock.

COUNTRY football leagues are ready to turn their backs on the AFL as negotiations over control of the game reach a deadlock.

Dozens of clubs and country leagues have committed to the establishment of a splinter competition unless AFL Victoria agrees to reassess its administrative restructure of the country game.

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LOCAL FOOTY COVERAGE

At least one club has been given a Monday deadline to sign agreements that would see them managed by Regional Administrative Centres.

One league has contacted federal Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie to seek funding opportunities in a bid to stand alone. A club already under the control of the AFL commission has roped in a Melbourne QC to establish its right to appeal against a decision they fear will gut junior competition.

Critics have warned the AFL Victoria takeover looms as a dictatorship that would strip century-old leagues of identity.

One league has contacted federal Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie to seek funding opportunities in a bid to stand alone. Picture: Getty Images

Geelong & District Football League president Neville Whitley says AFL Victoria has refused to discuss issues with clubs that aren’t affiliated.

Sunraysia, Central Highlands, Picola and Ovens & Murray league clubs are among those which have requested more information from the AFL. “We will start our own competitions, the AFL has given us no option,” Mr Whitley said.

But AFL Victoria boss Steven Reaper said on Wednesday he wanted to meet with Mr Whitley first to work on a mutually agreeable agenda. The GDFL president said he was not prepared to meet one-on-one.

Picola Football and Netball League operations manager Shane Railton said AFL Goulburn Murray cancelled a meeting this week, claiming concerns on an agenda had already been addressed. “We haven’t been able to sit down with anybody from the AFL in five years,’’ Mr Railton said.

Clubs have been warned by AFL Victoria to sign on or risk losing administrative support, including insurance and access to player/coaching programs.

AFL Victoria boss Steven Reaper.

South Warrnambool Football Netball club president Steve Harris said the controlling commission, AFL Western District, recommended a cap of 26 players in all junior age categories and introduced a “ridiculous’’ rule that restricts junior matches to 16 on field and five on the bench.

“All 11 Hampden clubs are against the changes as we feel it will both limit participation of kids and ultimately result in kids being lost to the game,’’ Mr Harris said.

He said despite an outcry AFL Western District was pushing ahead with the changes.

“This is clearly an example of the AFL steamrolling clubs and showing how much of a dictatorship they have become; especially given all the clubs in the league being unanimously against these changes.

Neil Ashworth, a country umpire administrator with more than 38 years’ experience, said it had been downhill since his local umpiring association had been taken over by AFL Barwon. “We used to be self-sustaining, now we have to fight for everything we’ve got,” Mr Ashworth said.

Another club president, part of the Sunraysia Football Netball League urged AFL Victoria to step back.

“The board that governs football in our area does a fantastic job and is respected by all clubs,’’ he said.

“Our league is in the healthiest position it has ever been financially and does not need the afl to prop it up.

“Let’s not try and fix something that is not broken.”