Central Victoria: Marong president Darren Turnbull says Bendigo move inevitable

The future structure of football in Central Victoria is in sharp focus with a district league club president open to stepping up when the time is right.

Loddon Valley pacesetter Marong should be setting its sights on a move into the Bendigo league, but not in the short-term, according to club president Darren Turnbull.

Marong has won the last two premierships and is sitting on top undefeated following a comfortable win against second-placed Bridgewater on Saturday.

It also sits on top in reserves and under-18s with another nine teams playing in the Bendigo junior league.

Located in a growth corridor of Bendigo, Marong has 92 registered Auskick players.

Turnbull said Marong “should be looking to be the next Strath”.

Marong’s Noah McCaig is tackled high by Bridgewater’s Jack Neylon. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

It’s a reference to Strathfieldsaye, which grew from a junior club into a Bendigo league powerhouse with the first of four premierships in five years from its maiden season in the major competition in 2009.

“It’s something we’ve got to think about,” Turnbull said.

“It’s a numbers game and if we keep building the way we are, we’ve got to do something for our kids.

“But we’ve got to work out what is best for the club and be structurally ready to go into the Bendigo league.

“It’s a big step going from Loddon Valley to Bendigo.

“Personally, I think we’re five or six years away because you need everything in place.”

Turnbull credited a lot of the senior team’s recent success to coach Linton Jacobs.

He spent three years as an assistant to Eaglehawk coach Travis Matheson before taking on the Marong top job.

Linton Jacobs is chasing a third successive premiership as Marong coach. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Marong wanted to join the Heathcote District league this season, a move driven in the interests of its growing number of junior players, but the move was rejected by the AFL Central Victorian Commission that has since been disbanded.

The Bendigo league is desperately trying to find a club to replace Kyneton, which left for the Riddell District league at the end of last year.

There are still major doubts on the long-term future of Maryborough in the Bendigo league after a third successive forfeit of its reserves team and a 184-point loss to South Bendigo at senior level on Saturday.

It followed a league record 333-point loss to Sandhurst in its previous match and another 258-point defeat to Gisborne a week earlier.

Maryborough had three players from interstate, Kayne Cox, Liam Flanagan and Jack Gallaher, make their debuts on Saturday.

The Magpies play Golden Square next round followed by Eaglehawk and Strathfieldsaye to complete the first round of matches.

Maryborough has reunions for its 1999 and 1974 premiership teams at its next home match on June 1.