Moama staying put a major setback for Bendigo expansion plans

Moama has spelt out its reasons for halting any move to another league in 2026 and potentially beyond.

Moama has put on hold a move to the Bendigo or Goulburn Valley as the process for clubs wanting to switch competitions undergoes major changes.

The Murray league club has been exploring a move to the two neighbouring major league since the end of last season.

“There is still too much to go through,” Moama president Scott Slater said.

“There would be junior footy and junior netball teams we would no longer have to field if we did move.

“We haven’t even put it to a member vote yet.

“We won’t be making a call this year.”

Moama Football-Netball Club president Scott Slater. Picture: Shane Jones

The Murray league has more football and netball grades than the Bendigo and Goulburn Valley competitions that were both receptive to adding Moama to their ranks.

“I can’t see it happening for a year or two,” Slater said.

“Or, if at all.”

Moama is in the final year of a long-term deal to host the Murray league grand final.

The one-point grand final win by Congupna at Moama last year attracted record gate-takings for the league.

Congupna won the Murray league grand final at Moama last year. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

The gate-takings of $80,850 smashed the previous record from 2023 season of $64,638 when Congupna lost to Mulwala.

Moama’s call to put a potential move on hold is a major setback for Bendigo which has dropped to eight clubs with Maryborough in recess.

It’s decision comes as country footy clubs exploring a move to another league have to act quicker and build a strong case from the outset under changes adopted by AFL Victoria.

Clubs seeking a new home in 2026 have to start the process by the end of next month with a major prerequisite being the league it wants to join being on-board with the move.

Appeal rights remain, but if the destination league declines a club’s

application to transfer, there is “no appeal process available and the matter is closed”.

“If a league says ‘no they don’t want a club’ that’s as far as it goes,” AFL Victoria community football manager John O’Donohue said.

“A lot more onus is being put on the club.

“If they want to move, they need to substantiate their case.

“The appeal process is only relevant for a club to be released from a league, not to get into a league.”

AFL Victoria community football manager John O’Donohue. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

The Weekly Times flagged the changes were coming a month ago with clubs expected to know the outcome of their proposed move by the end of August.

The transfer window previously was August to October.

Clubs also need to document “specific evidence” on player numbers, travel, finances and player points an salary cap implications early in the process.

Last year, Golden Rivers club Ultima waited until early November to be told it was unsuccessful in joining the Central Murray league.

Broadford was accepted into the Bendigo league last year, but remains in recess.

“The process was really clunky,” O’Donohue said.

“It was too late.

“A lot of times submissions were made in October and if there was an objection along the way, they weren’t being resolved until December.

“But probably the bigger one was that all stakeholders just didn’t have all the correct information at hand to make informed decisions.

“What’s going to happen now, is you put everything on the table at the start.

“The reason we’ve acted now is because there are already clubs looking to do something.”