Bendigo: Kyneton unanimously backs Riddell District move

Kyneton has almost certainly played its last match in the Bendigo league, with strong backing for the move from the current playing list.

Kyneton has almost certainly played its last match in the Bendigo league.

The club’s committee has unanimously voted to make a bid to join Riddell District and end its current association with the Bendigo league dating back to 1947.

Kyneton is hoping the switch to the lower standard Riddell District can revive its fortunes with the club not winning a finals match since 1997 when it last won the premiership.

“We’re hoping this move provides a sustainable future for our club, fair and equitable competition, and an enhanced experience for all our players of which a significant majority have indicated their preference to move to RDFNL,” a memo to members released at the weekend said.

“This decision was not made lightly and comes after careful consideration by our club’s leadership.”

Bendigo Football-Netball League chairwoman Carol McKinstry.

League chairwoman Carol McKinstry declined to comment on Kyneton’s intention to depart, which would leave the Bendigo league with nine clubs.

The memo to members also stated the “player points system run by the league, which is meant to promote equalisation, is clearly not working for us”.

Kyneton had only three more points than minor premiers Sandhurst this season.

The Riddell District salary cap is $35,000 below the $125,000 Bendigo league cap.

“Financial advantages with the move would be lower salary caps, lower club management fees, lower umpiring fees, greater opportunities for revenue raising at finals as RDFNL run a rotating roster for hosting finals so that all clubs get a fair chance,” the memo said.

“All these would contribute to long-term sustainability of KFNC.”

Paul Chapman stepped down as Kyneton coach recently. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

The club’s current player group has strongly backed the proposed move.

Kyneton lost to Strathfieldsaye by 42 points on Saturday.

It won senior premierships in 1936, 1960, 1961, 1995 and 1997 and its most recent Michelsen Medal winner was Shane Muir in 1985.

Meanwhile, AFL Central Victoria Commission chairman Nicholas Rolfe has disputed comments made by Heathcote District chairman Peter Cole that the commission would ultimately decide whether Marong, Maiden Gully-YCW and Cohuna Kangas could join the league.

“The process is clearly set out in the rules,” Rolfe said.

“Once they rejected them we’ve got no power to come over the top.

“Last year Heathcote accepted Maiden Gully-YCW, but Loddon Valley appealed and we upheld it.”

Heathcote league clubs voted against their entry last week.