AFL Central Victoria to make call on future structure of Central Muray and Golden Rivers leagues

A recommendation on the futures of the Central Murray and Golden Rivers leagues sits with the AFL. See what could happen next.

AFL Central Victoria Council is set to make the most significant decision since its formation 12 months ago with a call on the futures of the Central Murray and Golden Rivers leagues.

The Central Rivers board, which oversees the two leagues, has presented the governing body with a recommendation for 2026 and beyond from four options put forward.

One widely-discussed option is merging the two leagues with two divisions, including a mechanism for clubs to be promoted or relegated.

A review was instigated when Golden Rivers club Ultima’s application to join the Central Murray league late last year was blocked.

Ultima remains determined to become the Central Murray’s 12th club, but with only five clubs remaining, the Golden Rivers would be left precariously placed.

Those remaining, Murrabit, Wandella, Macorna, Hay and Moulamein, could be tempted to find a new home with the Loddon Valley and Picola District leagues possible options.

But Loddon Valley has only one junior grade and not all clubs field teams compared to Golden Rivers with two junior grades and a full complement of teams.

Ultima beat Hay in the Golden Rivers league grand final last season and still wants to join the Central Murray league. Picture: Ultima Football-Netball Club Facebook

Central Murray club Cohuna Kangas have also made unsuccessful attempts to join the Heathcote District league in the last two years.

It’s led to concerns being raised that the review has not been wide enough.

The last country football league to be closed down in Victoria was the Alberton league in 2020.

Central Rivers board member and Swan Hill mayor Stuart King headed a review team formed in February.

“We’ve strongly encouraged clubs to take a look at themselves and what is going to be the best for them into the future,” he said.

King said four options for 2026 were presented to the Central Rivers board and a recommendation agreed on.

“There is definitely an appetite for change,” he said.

“(AFLCV Council) needs to review the final recommendation because they’ve got a better understanding on what implications it might have on the broader country footy environment.

“But there is a bit of frustration that we are doing this as a stand-alone board over our two leagues.

“All clubs shared the frustration that the AFL should have been leading this from a broader context.”

The futures of the Central Murray and Golden Rivers leagues will become clearer this week. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Once clubs have “digested” the decision to be made this week they will attend a forum on June 18 to begin the process of transferring leagues for those affected.

Under recent changes to timelines and processes for club transfers, applications have to be lodged by June 30.

But King said there was an acknowledgment additional time would be granted.

“The AFL have been supporting us through this process and know what we’re doing,” he said.

“They made it clear if the deadlines need to be extended to make sure we got the best value out of what we’re doing there was some flexibility.”

In 2023, AFLCV Council’s predecessor failed in a bid to start up a new competition in the region including Maryborough, Castlemaine and Kyneton, Marong, Maiden Gully-YCW and Cohuna Kangas.

Maryborough is in recess, Kyneton moved to the Riddell District league and Castlemaine, Marong, Maiden Gully-YCW and Cohuna Kangas have stayed put in their respective competitions.

STATE OF PLAY

CENTRAL MURRAY

(Present clubs)

Balranald

Cohuna Kangas (Failed in two attempts to join the Heathcote District league in 2023 and 2024)

Kerang

Koondrook-Barham

Lake Boga

Mallee Eagles (Merger of Lalbert and St Marys in 2011)

Nyah-Nyah West United (Merger of Nyah and Nyah West in 1978 when they played in the former Mid Murray league)

Swan Hill

Tooleybuc-Manangatang (Merged in 2004)

Tyntynder

Woorinen

Former clubs since 2000: Leitchville-Gunbower (joined the Heathcote District league in 2003)

GOLDEN RIVERS

(Present clubs)

Hay

Macorna

Moulamein

Murrabit

Ultima

Wandella

Former clubs since 2000: Wakool (folded in 2018), Quambatook (folded in 2022), Nullawil (joined the North Central league in 2023 and merged with Wycheproof-Narraport to become Calder United this season)