Golden Rivers: Ultima denied appeal to join Central Murray league

Ultima will stay in the Golden Rivers league for another 12 months with major league changes mooted for 2026.

Ultima will reluctantly stay put in the Golden Rivers league for another 12 months after no appeal rights to join the Central Murray competition existed.

Ultima secured the required backing from the Central Murray league clubs last week to switch leagues, but the five remaining other Golden Rivers clubs were united in their opposition to losing the reigning premiers.

The Central Rivers board, which oversees the two leagues, decided Ultima must remain in the Golden Rivers league with an indication major changes were afoot in 2026.

“While this decision does not allow for Ultima’s transition for season 2025, the Central Rivers board remains committed to supporting the club’s future endeavours and fostering a collaborative environment among all Central Murray and Golden Rivers clubs as we prepare for what the 2026 season and beyond may look like,” Central Rivers board chairman Donald Willox said.

Ultima beat Hay in the Golden Rivers league grand final this season and wanted to join the Central Murray league next year. Picture: Ultima Football-Netball Club Facebook

Ultima president Nathan Condely said the Central Rivers board shouldn’t have made the decision because of its “conflict” and was further frustrated when it discovered no avenue of appeal existed.

“We’re hamstrung because we’ve got a board in charge of two leagues,” he said.

“For the stability of our club we’ve moved on.

“We’re very appreciative of the Central Murray clubs voting a resounding yes to let us join their league.

“But we couldn’t be more disappointed that the gate was shut on us by the joint board.”

Nine of the 11 Central Murray clubs voted to accept Ultima.

The Golden Rivers league would have been left in a precarious state with only five clubs — Hay, Macorna, Moulamein, Murrabit and Wandella — if Ultima was granted its wish to leave.

In the last two years, the Golden Rivers league has lost Nullawil to the North Central league and Quambatook folded.

The Mallee league had only five clubs in what turned out to be its final season in 2015 — Southern Mallee Giants, Ouyen, Sea Lake-Nandaly, Walpeup-Underbool and Woomeland-Lascelles.

AFL Victoria has adopted a hands-off approach to major structural changes of leagues in recent years, preferring “local solutions made by local people”.