Golden Rivers: Fight for survival despite being more competitive than other competitions of similar size and standard
Golden Rivers clubs are in survival mode despite evidence showing the league is tracking well compared to similar sized competitions.
Golden Rivers is the most competitive of similar size and standard leagues in Victoria this season, but is in the fight of its life to survive.
A six-month study into the best structure for football in the region has recommended the six-team Golden Rivers league be wound up at the end of 2025 unless four or more clubs want to remain for one more season only.
Ultima is the only club to officially declare it wants out of Golden Rivers ahead of a crucial meeting between the 17 Golden Rivers and Central Murray club presidents on Wednesday.
Neighbouring leagues, Loddon Valley and Picola District, have confirmed they are prepared to take on a mix of the five remaining Golden Rivers clubs if Ultima does transfer to the Central Murray league.
But Murrabit, Macorna, Wandella, Hay and Moulamein are yet to officially signal their intentions for 2026.
It comes as data supplied by countryfootyscores.com.au shows the Golden Rivers league is more competitive than five other similar leagues.
The average winning margin in the Golden Rivers league this season is 41.24 points per match after a round when fifth-placed Moulamein beat second-placed Ultima.
The next most even similar-sized league is another six-team competition, Millewa, with an average 55.22 points followed by South West District (55.56), Omeo District (66.04), East Gippsland (67.68) and Upper Murray (127.18).
The Upper Murray league is the smallest league in the state with four clubs.
Loddon Valley, which has nine clubs, is best placed geographically to take on Macorna which is only 15 minutes from one of its existing clubs, Pyramid Hill.
“We’re always interested in exploring our options with other clubs,” Loddon Valley president Richard Hicks said.
“It’s a volatile world out there and you don’t know what is going to happen.
“We haven’t had any official approach, but as a league we can’t do anything.
“We have to wait for a club to come to us.”
Hicks said Loddon Valley started up an “informal” under-12s competition this season to build up its junior ranks.
“We’ve got to look outside the box because everyone has issues with junior numbers," he said.
Picola District is also watching developments closely with the potential addition of Hay and Moulamein opening up the option of the league returning to two divisions which existed between 2007 and 2017.
“The league is always open to what clubs have got to say,” Picola District operations manager Shane Railton.
“Our clubs don’t want to make any decision in regards to splitting until they know exactly who is in the mix.”
THE LAY OF THE LAND
(How the Golden Rivers league compares to similar competitions in Victoria)
Golden Rivers: Six clubs, seniors, reserves, under 18s, under 15s. Average winning margin in senior matches in 2025: 41.24 points
Millewa: Six clubs, Senior men, senior women, no juniors. Average winning margin in senior matches in 2025: 55.22 points
South West District: Eight clubs, seniors, reserves, under-17s. Average winning margin in senior matches in 2025: 55.56 points
Omeo District: Six clubs, seniors, under 16s. Average winning margin in senior matches in 2025: 66.04 points
East Gippsland: Eight clubs, seniors, reserves, under-17.5s. Average winning margin in senior matches in 2025: 67.68 points
Upper Murray: Four clubs, seniors, reserves, under 14s, under 12s. Average winning margin in senior matches in 2025: 127.18 points
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