Murray: Tocumwal wins support from Murray league clubs for return

Tocumwal has won the backing of 12 Murray league clubs for a late switch before the 2023 season.

Tocumwal has secured a “lifeline” from Murray Football-Netball League clubs to return to the competition it departed nine years ago.

The clubs voted unanimously in support of Tocumwal’s re-entry on Monday night after a turbulent off-season that has resulted in it twice being suspended by the Picola and District league.

A final procedural step in Tocumwal becoming the MFNL’s 13th club rests with AFL Goulburn-Murray.

Tocumwal’s motivation to move leagues was to remain affiliated with the AFL after the PDFNL decided against renewing its affiliation agreement last year.

Club president Matt Peterson said the benefits of AFL affiliation included access to insurance, talented player pathways and administration processes outweighed the alternative of a league administering its own affairs.

“We need people who can help us run our clubs, they are hard to run, they take a lot of time and effort, knowledge and expertise,” he said.

“They just don’t run themselves.

“We felt AFL affiliation was going to better support the direction of our club.”

Tocumwal is returning to the Murray league after a nine-year absence.

Murray league general manager Dale Norman praised clubs for welcoming Tocumwal back so close to the start of the 2023 season.

“They are ready to accept anyone who wants to remain affiliated (with the AFL),” he said.

“They’ve opened their arms up to Tocumwal and put some smiles back on faces.

“They were in a position that was untenable and they’ve been given a lifeline.”

Mr Norman hoped to have a new draw with clubs in coming days.

AFLGM regional manager Shaun Connell said he expected Tocumwal to be a Murray league club again within days.

“AFLGM awaits the formal notification of the Murray league of their acceptance of Tocumwal into the MFL,” AFLGM regional manager Shaun Connell said.

“Once received the application will be formally considered by the commission and AFL Victoria.

“We don’t expect this to be a lengthy process.”

PDFNL operations manager Shane Railton said: “We haven’t spoke to (Tocumwal), we’ve had no correspondence whatsoever.

“We’ve obviously got a rule in place which the clubs voted on unanimously that clubs need to seek permission to leave our league.

“We’re currently speaking to our clubs whether we pursue that.”

TOCUMWAL WANTS OUT

The Murray Football-Netball League will vote on Tocumwal returning to the competition on Monday night.

The bombshell move five weeks before the season is the latest development in a strained relationship between the club and its home of the past nine years, the Picola and District league.

Tocumwal was suspended by the league last year for reasons including wanting to remain affiliated with the AFL.

Murray league clubs met on Thursday night about Tocumwal wanting out of the PDFNL with a special league meeting called to consider the application.

“The reason outlined by Tocumwal was a desire to remain affiliated with AFL Victoria and the benefits that come with affiliation,” general manager Dale Norman said.

“Tocumwal is excited about the prospect of rejoining the Murray league after a nine-year absence and to once again embrace the challenge of playing in a premier league.”

Tocumwal made the switch from the Murray league to the Picola league in 2014.

It follows another suspension imposed on the club by the PDFNL after an unsuccessful bid to be part of a breakaway league of eight other PDFNL clubs which wanted to remain affiliated with AFL late last year.

It was lifted late last week and PDNFL operations manager Shane Railton wouldn’t elaborate on the reasons behind the most recent ban.

He said the league had an “amicable conversation” with Tocumwal after the ban ended and it was committed to play in the PDFNL this year.

“Tocumwal has not contacted us and said they are going to be involved in any discussions with the Murray league whatsoever and Tocumwal have not returned calls this morning,” he said.

Tocumwal won five flags in the Murray league and regularly hosted the grand final before leaving for the Picola and District competition.

Tocumwal president Matt Peterson has been contacted for comment.

There are recent precedents for clubs moving from non-affiliated to affiliated leagues on the eve of the season.

In 2018 Tungamah, Katandra, Shepparton East and Dookie United all left the PDFNL.

Tungamah and Katandra went to the Murray league before returning two years later.

Shepparton East also joined the Murray league in 2018 before switching to the Kyabram District league a year later.

Dookie United moved to the KDFNL.

AFL Goulburn-Murray regional manager Shaun Connell. Picture: Supplied

Kinglake has also made the switch with AFL Victoria’s blessing from the unaffiliated Outer East league to the affiliated Northern league this season.

AFL Goulburn-Murray regional manager Shaun Connell was tight-lipped on what role it would play after Monday night.

“We will consider any application from the league once it is received,” he said.

Tocumwal won five Murray league premierships before joining the PDFNL.