Goulburn-Murray: Kyabram and Picola clubs eye off new league

The creation of a new football-netball competition in the Goulburn-Murray region is making waves. See which clubs may be joining it.

The creation of a new football-netball competition in the Goulburn-Murray region is entering a make-or-break phase.

Four Kyabram District league clubs – Shepparton East, Murchison-Toolamba, Undera and Dookie United – must apply by Wednesday night to switch to the Murray league, which has proposed the new competition.

They would join Tocumwal, which presently plays in the Murray league, and two Picola District league clubs, Tungamah and Katandra, which have repeatedly expressed a desire to play in an AFL-affiliated league.

Shepparton East is among four Kyabram District league clubs exploring a move to a new competition to be run by the Murray league. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Picola District opted not to affiliate with the AFL 12 months ago, which led to Tocumwal returning to the Murray league.

AFL Goulburn-Murray Commission has been steadfast in its stance that any new competition would need to have eight clubs.

The commission remains concerned about the impact on the Kyabram District league of losing four teams.

It presently has 14 clubs and is also considering weighing up an application by Riddell District league club Broadford to join its ranks.

AFL Goulburn Murray regional manager Shaun Connell. Picture: Supplied

“What is clear to us is there is an energy among those clubs to make something happen,” AFL Goulburn-Murray regional manager Shaun Connell said.

“They are clubs that feel they are more aligned to each other than what their current situation is.

“There is a willingness to make that happen even though the original proposal looks a bit different to what it is now.”

The Kyabram District league reserves the right to refuse the applications of clubs wanting to leave in a move that would trigger an appeal by the Murray league.

The window for clubs to change competition closes on October 31.

Meanwhile, Corowa-Rutherglen’s return to the Ovens and Murray league is expected to become clearer by Friday when the league is wanting an answer whether the club can resurrect three football and netball teams.