AFL Goulburn-Murray Commission under fire for Tocumwal return to Picola District league

Where Tocumwal will play next year has been confirmed, while the Murray league has broke its silence on failed moves to create a league.

Tocumwal has been accepted back into the Picola District Football-Netball League after one season in the neighbouring Murray league.

The club gained approval to return from the league’s board on Monday night after planned participation in a start-up competition involving other PDFNL and Kyabram District league clubs failed to win support from AFL Goulburn-Murray.

Its return coincides with the reintroduction of tough rules on clubs wanting to leave the PDFNL in the future.

Tocumwal will need to stay in the PDFNL for five years and any club that expresses a desire to leave, but doesn’t, can’t re-apply to leave again for two years.

Any club wishing to leave must notify the league’s operations manager by July 31 and any breach of the rules carries a $30,000 fine.

Picola District operations manager Shane Railton. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Current operations manager Shane Railton said Tocumwal came back “under the same rules as everyone else” including going to the back of the queue to host the grand final.

Tocumwal faced another tough season on field had it stayed in the stronger Murray league in the hope a new competition could be started in 2025 with the minimum eight clubs required by AFLGM.

“I’m never surprised anyone more how this all eventuates,” Mr Railton said.

“They were promised the world.

“It hasn’t eventuated and they’ve somewhat come back with the tail between their legs.”

Waaia won this year’s Picola District grand final over host club Strathmerton. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

The Murray league planned to administer the new competition and general manager Dale Norman said he was “absolutely gutted” for Tocumwal.

“It’s not their fault,” he said.

“The club needs to find a level where they can compete.

“The predicament Tocumwal finds itself in is due to lack of action by the AFLGM Commission.

“Despite many requests, not once were the Murray league and clubs involved in exploring the option of a new competition given the chance to meet with the AFLGM Commission face-to-face.

“The commission decided to do nothing and doing nothing is not a solution.”