AFL Goulburn-Murray Commission refuses to support new competition starting with seven teams

The AFL Goulburn-Murray Commission has come under fire after failed moves to create a new bush footy competition.

The AFL Goulburn-Murray Commission has come under fire from one of the parties involved in failed moves to create a new competition made up of past and present Kyabram District and Picola District clubs.

Seven clubs – Tocumwal, Tungamah, Katandra, Undera, Murchison-Toolamba, Shepparton East and Dookie United – were committed to form a competition next year to be administered initially by the Murray Football-Netball League.

But, AFLGM refused to budge on its stance that the competition needed eight clubs from the outset.

Tocumwal will remain in the Murray league after plans to create a new competition in the Goulburn-Murray region were rejected by the AFL Goulburn-Murray Commission.

It has sparked an angry response from Tocumwal, which left the Picola District league on the eve of last season because it wanted to remain affiliated with the AFL.

“All clubs were unanimous in their support of a seven-team competition for 2024 and firmly believed that it would expand over the coming years,” Tocumwal president Greg Watmore said.

“It’s been another kick in the guts to PDFNL clubs seeking affiliation, and KDFNL clubs which wish to have junior grades in their clubs.

“Numerous times (we) have been told that if we came to them with something, they would support us.

“Well, that is certainly not true.”

AFLGM Commission chairman Quentin Thomson confirmed that the Murray league no longer wanted to proceed with the new competition in 2024.

“We appreciate the high commitment and enthusiasm from the Murray league and the clubs directly concerned during the process and acknowledge the disappointment of the league and clubs,” he said.

“As the process unfolded, an updated proposal was put to the commission.

“Whilst the commission remains open to a new district league competition, the new proposal had a more significant impact on the region than initially proposed and required further consideration.”

Murray league president Julie Walsh declined to comment.

In a separate development, Broadford’s application to join the Kyabram District league has also been rejected.

Picola District operations manager Shane Railton. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Picola District operations manager Shane Railton said the talks about clubs potentially changing leagues had been “quite a distraction”.

“The overwhelming feedback I’ve got from the two clubs involved is how tiring it is and the position it puts them in,” he said.

“You’d hope any efforts in future would be done with greater transparency.”

He said Katandra and Tungamah had committed to the Picola District league for two more years.