Country footy: AFL Victoria brings forward club transfer window to start of July

A flurry of activity in the country footy club transfer space last year has sparked some key changes. We break down what’s happened.

Country footy clubs wanting to transfer leagues this year will need to act earlier under changes being introduced by AFL Victoria.

In what shapes as an even busier season for clubs seeking new homes, the transfer window has been brought forward by two months.

All applications must be submitted by June 30 and clubs wanting to change competitions must have met with the league they want to leave and join by July 30.

AFL Victoria will tick off all club transfers, but objections and appeal rights are maintained.

Clubs seeking to switch leagues will know their fate by the end of August.

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

In moves granted for this year, Bunyip left West Gippsland to play in Ellinbank District and Melton South departed Ballarat and joined Riddell District.

Dookie United went from Kyabram District to Picola District.

Bendigo league club Maryborough is in recess this season after attempts to join two other leagues last year were unsuccessful. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Broadford was accepted by Bendigo last year, but remains in recess.

AFL Victoria community football manager John O’Donohue said the process had been “tipped upside down” with the case for wanting to leave needed upfront rather than at appeal.

“By bringing it forward everyone will do their work on the validity of the transfer application,” he said.

“We want to make more evidence-based decisions, ensuring it’s in the best interests of the game more broadly.

“There are always discussions going on and we need to know the flow-on effects and the consequences from any proposition.

“The sooner we get them on the table, the sooner we can start to piece the jigsaw together.”

AFL Victoria community football manager John O'Donohue.

Central Murray and Golden Rivers clubs have already been surveyed about the “optimum structure” in the region beyond 2025 in response to Ultima’s failed bid to switch leagues.

Central Rivers board member Stuart King is heading up a working party overseeing the “Northern Rivers Project” with a draft report on track to be tabled in June.

“Population scarcity is the No. 1 threat to the survival of football-netball clubs in rural Victoria and southern NSW,” he said.

“This scarcity is exacerbated in our region where population density is significantly lower than other parts of the state.”