Picola League Rejects VCFL push for CGFL clubs

[Doona2]

Just read an email this afternoon issued by the Picola DFL stating that the 13 current PDFL clubs voted unanimously last night not to adopt the recent VCFL proposal regarding Central Goulburn FL clubs - "that we reject the VCFL structural proposal and that we remain as the existing 13 team competition"

Carried Unanimously

There's a strong word that Murray FL clubs are contemplating a similar decision in regards to adopting Rumbalara. With Tongala to be voted in , there's no need for Rumba or a 13 team comp.

[Grandale]

And nor should they want them. An 18-team comp is laughable. I reckon you should move heaven and earth to get your Waranga North East restructure up and running. That'd be a winner.

[Doona2]

And nor should they want them. An 18-team comp is laughable. I reckon you should move heaven and earth to get your Waranga North East restructure up and running. That'd be a winner.

My feelings exactly - a structure to the old Waranga NEFL(Murchison, Nagambie, Avenel, Violet Town, Bonnie Doon, Alex, Thornton, Yea, Broadford) which could see Rumba, Dookie and Shepp East roll into the KDFL. There's plenty of talk about it down this way, but it dont seem to be gathering much momentum from the right influences.

[Flat Track Bully]

My feelings exactly - a structure to the old Waranga NEFL(Murchison, Nagambie, Avenel, Violet Town, Bonnie Doon, Alex, Thornton, Yea, Broadford) which could see Rumba, Dookie and Shepp East roll into the KDFL. There's plenty of talk about it down this way, but it dont seem to be gathering much momentum from the right influences.

Methinks nothing will change in a hurry...things would need to be in place by November, and that is unlikely to happen...

[Doona2]

Methinks nothing will change in a hurry...things would need to be in place by November, and that is unlikely to happen...

I think you could be right FTB, the VCFL has well and truly buggered this one up and time is running out fast. I reckon if the VCFL force the issue onto the PDFL, they'll disaffiliate with the VCFL and go under the NSW Football banner.

[Flat Track Bully]

I think you could be right FTB, the VCFL has well and truly buggered this one up and time is running out fast.

Clubs looking to recruit, appoint coaches, attract an executive would need some help in knowing what's going on...

Also the moves would have to be ratified at club AGM's, which are usualy held before Xmas

[Motty]

Good to see the PDFL clubs tell the VCFL :thumbsd: to stick it - because only they'll be the ones affected by travelling the height of the state for a number of away games each year if it is a one-division structure. Imagine turfing the kids out of bed at 4am for a trip to Berrigan, Deni Rovers or Mathoura "just for a game of footy" ... only about $60-70 for a round trip at today's petrol prices (probably be $100 next week the way petrol rises in price :mad: )

This issue is a looooooong way from finished - it still hasn't been resolved from the 70s and 80s :eek:

[Doona2]

League stands firm

By Mark Brown
September 15 2005
Shepparton News
A major stoush is brewing between Picola District Football League and the game's governing body.
The league announced yesterday it would thumb its nose at the Victorian Country Football League and steadfastly refuse to accept any changes to its current 13-club competition.

The VCFL has directed the league to make way for five new clubs (Shepparton East, Dookie United, Thornton-Eildon, Alexandra and Violet Town) next year, following the disbandment of the Central Goulburn Football League.

However, the Picola league is refusing to buckle and has already begun formulating a draw for next season which only incorporates its existing 13 teams.

The Picola league clubs unanimously voted to reject the VCFL shake-up during a league meeting in Nathalia on Tuesday night.

"We want the status quo to remain and the league thinks it's got a strong case to leave things as they are," league president David McKenzie said yesterday.

"The members are adamant they don't want any of the five new clubs."

McKenzie said he expected some backlash as a result of the league's insubordination.

"They won't be happy," he said.

VCFL regional director John O'Donohue said the Picola league had the right to object to the changes through the proper channels.

However, VCFL chief executive officer Glenn Scott has already warned affected leagues will need a string of watertight reasons to have the changes overturned.

O'Donohue would not speculate on possible penalties the Picola league could attract if it refuses to fall in line with the VCFL.

In a worst-case scenario, the VCFL could threaten to expel the league from its ranks; a step which has major ramifications, particularly in relation to insurance and player retention.

"We've just got to keep working through the whole thing," O'Donohue said.

"Clubs and leagues have got to look at this from a wider perspective."

Meanwhile, the Murray Football League has also begun gathering support for an appeal against Rumbalara's introduction to its ranks.

Murray league general manager Wayne Burrows sent an email to clubs on Tuesday asking whether or not they supported a push to block Rumbalara's clearance.

It's believed a majority of the clubs are opposed to Rumbalara's inclusion.

[RiverinAFL]

I think you could be right FTB, the VCFL has well and truly buggered this one up and time is running out fast. I reckon if the VCFL force the issue onto the PDFL, they'll disaffiliate with the VCFL and go under the NSW Football banner.

They would be very welcome at the newly formed AFL Southern NSW adminsitration. They currently control Riverina, Farrer, Hume, Coreen and Northern Riverina Football Leagues.

[themagicfrog]

The Picola FL are considering Disaffiliation for the VCFL to either go it alone of to join NSW footy. They have told the VCFL that they will not go through the channels that they want them to because the Picola FL were not consulted in the first so they do not see the decision as something they have to answer to.
They have already check with the umpiring mob to see if they will still be O.K to umpire the Picola FL and the Umps said they were fine with it. The formation of the new FL down south was also mentioned at the Picola meeting.

[Wayde Petersen]

David McKenzie (PDFL President) suffers no fools, and the arrogant, incompetant, dictatorial rhetoric from the boys from top of the ivory tower (the VCFL), should be treated with the absolute contempt it deserves.

FFS, why on earth would you want to travel 250-300kms (one way), to play football (or netball) ?, that is what the VCFL is asking clubs like Berrigan, Blighty, Deni Rovers, Thornton-Eildon, & Alexandra to do with the price of petrol the way it is nowadays ?, this obvious fact, including several other factors that those cerebral & intellectual pygmys at the VCFL failed to take into account, such as the time involved to take such a journey, and what about farming communities such as Katamatite, Katandra & Blighty ?, it would be virtually impossible for a farming family (and with those clubs, farming families make up a large chunk of thier player & supporter base) to take themselves all the way to Thornton in the middle of calving and harvesting season, it would be far to difficult.

Only the VCFL could possibly stuff this up as badly as this.

[Doona2]

Murray League appears to have taken a similar stance to the PDFl, mayeb the old CGFL might go around for another year!!!

MURRAY BREAKAWAY BID
By Mark Brown
September 27 2005
Shepparton News

The Murray Football League could severe ties with the Victorian Country Football League in an 11th-hour bid to block Rumbalara from joining its ranks.

League general manager Wayne Burrows yesterday confirmed the MFL was considering the drastic option.


"Yes, it is being discussed," Burrows said.

The step was one of five options put to the MFL's 11 clubs last night and comes after the VCFL on Friday rejected the league's appeal against Rumbalara transferring from the defunct Central Goulburn Football League.

Burrows labelled the appeal hearing as "pathetic".

"It (the decision) was a laydown misere before we even got in there," Burrows said.

"It was pathetic. We were told we had until Friday if we wanted another appeal, but that we'd need much stronger reasons to get anywhere."


Murray's main objection centered around Rumbalara's superior financial position and the fear the club was going to use the MFL as simply a stepping stone to the more powerful Goulburn Valley league.


If the Murray league votes to severe ties with the VCFL, it will seek to align itself with the game's governing body in NSW, the NSWAFL.

[Travvy43]

Murray League appears to have taken a similar stance to the PDFl, mayeb the old CGFL might go around for another year!!!

MURRAY BREAKAWAY BID
By Mark Brown
September 27 2005
Shepparton News

The Murray Football League could severe ties with the Victorian Country Football League in an 11th-hour bid to block Rumbalara from joining its ranks.

League general manager Wayne Burrows yesterday confirmed the MFL was considering the drastic option.


"Yes, it is being discussed," Burrows said.

The step was one of five options put to the MFL's 11 clubs last night and comes after the VCFL on Friday rejected the league's appeal against Rumbalara transferring from the defunct Central Goulburn Football League.

Burrows labelled the appeal hearing as "pathetic".

"It (the decision) was a laydown misere before we even got in there," Burrows said.

"It was pathetic. We were told we had until Friday if we wanted another appeal, but that we'd need much stronger reasons to get anywhere."


Murray's main objection centered around Rumbalara's superior financial position and the fear the club was going to use the MFL as simply a stepping stone to the more powerful Goulburn Valley league.


If the Murray league votes to severe ties with the VCFL, it will seek to align itself with the game's governing body in NSW, the NSWAFL.

what implications does a move from the VCFL banner have on a league. Dopes the VCFL cover things like insurance, etc. Sounds as though it could get very messy. I am sure odongahue and Allen and co will have their work cut out for them over the next couple of weeks

[Mobbenfuhrer]

It is atrocious that leagues do not have a straightforward 'right to refuse entry'.

The VCFL will have to be very watchful that it does not become irrelevant.

[Doona2]

what implications does a move from the VCFL banner have on a league. Dopes the VCFL cover things like insurance, etc. Sounds as though it could get very messy. I am sure odongahue and Allen and co will have their work cut out for them over the next couple of weeks

The NSW equivilant of the VCFL will have similar structures i.e. insurance etc. so as long as clubs are happy and have a league to play in it wont matter what banner they come under. The Murray FL are on the money, who would want Rumbalara and Allan Thorpe the sniper (cleaned up Billy Neilson behind play in CGFL granny).

[Travvy43]

As reported in todays shepp news, Alex and Thorn-Eild have had preliminary talks with the KDL with the move to the PDFL looking more unlikely by the day. The article also indicated that these two clubs and Yea hav ehad talks with the Yarra Valley Mountain Dist League, although the structure of that league is not ideal (2 footy, one netty)

[Doona2]

Playmates required
By Mark Brown
September 28 2005
Shepparton News

The Kyabram District Football League has emerged as the latest possible home for displaced clubs Alexandra and Thornton-Eildon.
The two former Central Goulburn Football League sides yesterday confirmed they were keen to sit down with the KDFL and discuss their relocation plans.

"We just want to investigate another option while we wait to hear what's happening with the Picola league," Alexandra president Ray Steyger said.

"We're not applying (to join the KDFL), we just want to canvass their thoughts."

Alexandra and Thornton-Eildon have already been earmarked to join the Picola District Football League next season after the CGFL's disbandment.

But the move, prompted by the Victorian Country Football League, has drawn widespread criticism from rival PDFL clubs.

The PDFL is refusing to accept the new clubs and has lodged an appeal with the VCFL.

Steyger said both Alexandra and ThorntonEildon need to investigate other options, ensuring they weren't left high and dry should the Picola league deal fall through.

"We've written to the VCFL asking for permission to approach the Kyabram league," he said.

"We need to know where we stand."

KDFL president John Dunlop declined to comment on the issue last night, saying the league had received no formal correspondence at this stage.

It also emerged yesterday that the three southern-based clubs, including Yea, have instigated preliminary talks with the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League.

The trio sat down with officials from the Yarra Valley league late last week, Yea primarily as an observer, to hear what the competition had to offer.

While thoroughly impressed with the league's presentation, Steyger said the clubs were reluctant to move south.

"Our main focus is to join a league with a similar structure to where we've been playing," he said.

"Our club currently caters for four football sides and five netball teams. Most clubs in the Yarra Valley division two competition have two senior football sides and one netball team.

"We were very impressed with their presentation, but we view our junior netball and football programs as vitally important to our overall club."

Yea has already been placed in the KDFL as part of the reshuffle.

Meanwhile, the Murray Football League has again voted to oppose Rumbalara's transfer and will appeal to the VCFL.

[Guinea]

Doona2, thought the rumour with Ray and Slade may have been off the mark, just started talking to a bloke in a pub who mentioned that he followed Yea a bit, but was based in Melbourne. I asked him who they were looking at recruiting and he mentioned those blokes names. Slade was on serious coin for a bloke who eventually got dropped :eek:

Why would Yea attend this meeting if they're already happy going to the KDFL? Seems strange that they would talk to a league with only 2 football grades and 1 netball grade when they want to play in a league with a similar set up as they one they have in place?

I realise that the article says that Yea was an observer only, but would it be right to assume that Yea isn't a 100% certainty to play in the KDFL next year? Could the club be lured to the Yarra Valley, or a similar league?

[Doona2]

Doona2, thought the rumour with Ray and Slade may have been off the mark, just started talking to a bloke in a pub who mentioned that he followed Yea a bit, but was based in Melbourne. I asked him who they were looking at recruiting and he mentioned those blokes names. Slade was on serious coin for a bloke who eventually got dropped :eek:

Why would Yea attend this meeting if they're already happy going to the KDFL? Seems strange that they would talk to a league with only 2 football grades and 1 netball grade when they want to play in a league with a similar set up as they one they have in place?

I realise that the article says that Yea was an observer only, but would it be right to assume that Yea isn't a 100% certainty to play in the KDFL next year? Could the club be lured to the Yarra Valley, or a similar league?

We have said all along that the Yea, Alex, Thornton connection is vital to the survival of our clubs - we need to play each other. Still sh@ts me some that a new league wasn't explored to cut travelling down.

Im not privy to what has been said at these meetings, I was told last week we're definately in the KDFL and recruiting discussions are being sold on that strength. As a coach I regularly talk to our pres and made it very clear to the club a move to the YVMDFL would almost result in the 20 Broadford & Seymour based players looking elsewhere next year.

[Doona2]

Were my eyes deceiving me or does the 2006 draw posted on the Picola DFL site not contain any new clubs.
Could there be a slight possibility that the CGFL could be re-born due to the fact no one wants to adopt any of the clubs?

[RiverinAFL]

Latest news from Southern NSW AFL
(Border Mail Article)

There will be no transfers in Hume and Coreen leagues and possibly Picola until 2007

Quote "Hughes said there would be a task force set up between NSW-ACT AFL and the VCFL to work out a plan for 2007 season, which will also include two representatives from the Coreen, Hume and Picola leagues."

FULL Article

THE Coreen and District Football Leagues future is secure for at least another 12 months after the Southern NSW-ACT AFL confirmed no clubs would be granted clearances to join neighbouring competitions.

Murray Magpies and Wahgunyah were both seeking authorisation to change to the Hume and Tallangatta leagues respectively but will be forced to stay put in 2006.

The Magpies application to jump ship was rejected by the Hume league clubs last week but their right to appeal to the states governing body would now be a waste of time following the decision at a board meeting on Wednesday night.

The Magpies had yet to gain clearance from the Coreen league regardless, while the Tigers bid to move was rejected by the Coreen league at a club delegates meeting on Tuesday.

Southern NSW-ACT AFL football operations manager Bob Hughes said it was its wish for the Coreen league to stay in its present format next season due to the impact it would have on the competition and its remaining clubs.

It would become a five-team competition if the Magpies and Tigers left.

"Were just asking them to hold off everything until next year where we can work out a plan that will keep everyone happy," Hughes said.

"Weve got a responsibility to everyone to look at the bigger picture.

"Whats good for one club is not necessarily good for others and if we didnt take everything into consideration then we would not be doing our job."

Hughes said there would be a task force set up between NSW-ACT AFL and the VCFL to work out a plan for 2007 season, which will also include two representatives from the Coreen, Hume and Picola leagues.

"We plan to set up a work group and well meet prior to Christmas and look at the footprints.

"Football is always evolving and whats best for 2007 might not be whats best in 2010 and perhaps we can come up with a better plan for all leagues.

"We hope to have an announcement of the direction of everyone involved by the end of July next year at the latest.

"We want to look at the big picture to ensure that football survives."

[Here It Is]

It's good news that no more clubs are leaving the Coreen league at this stage.
However, it is only October and there is plenty of time to bring these leagues together and come up with a new structure for 2006 to try and keep everyone happy.
It would be ideal if nothing had to change but it does have to and it is time to get it done before 2006, not after.
Bite the bullet now.

[Doona2]

It could be D-day tomorrow for several clubs - Rumbalara (Murray FL); Shepp East & Dookie (Picola DFL) and Yea (KDFL) with the VCFL meeting and apparently conducting appeal hearings.

[Doona2]

Can confirm 100% having just read a VCFL statement signed by Worksafe VCFL's C.E.O. Glenn Scott indicating the following.

Yea and Violet Town into the KDFL
Rumbalara into the Murray FL
Shepp East & Dookie into the PDFL

Whilst it does put to bed some worries for the above clubs re: appointments, recruiting, sponsorship etc. it doesn't appear good for Alexandra and Thornton.
They can appeal, but the appeal is chaired again by the VCFL say it appears that would be a waste. Expect both to be shoved into the Yarra Valley Mountain DFL, but not necessarily means they will play. Still some banter that one or either club may be forced into recess - lets hope that this aint the case.

[Doona2]

13 IS ENOUGH

By Mark Brown

October 19 2005
Shepparton News
Picola District Football League will risk expulsion from the game's governing body to remain a 13-team competition next season.
The PDFL confirmed yesterday it will continue to thumb its nose at the Victorian Country Football League and reject the inclusion of two new clubs.

PDFL secretary Deanne Einsporn said the league's 13 clubs voted on Monday night to ignore a VCFL directive and block the transfer of Shepparton East and Dookie United.

Shepp East and Dookie United are still looking for a new home following the disbandment of Central Goulburn Football League.

"They (clubs) are adamant they want to stay a 13-team competition," Einsporn said.

"They're not budging."

The PDFL yesterday released its draft draw for next year, catering only for its existing 13 clubs.

Einsporn admitted the league's petulance could have dire consequences.

She said the VCFL was likely to threaten the Picola league with dis-affiliation if it refused to fall into line.

"That's a strong possibility," she said.

VCFL regional director John O'Donohue admitted yesterday severing ties with the Picola league was a distinct possibility.

"We'll be speaking to the (PDFL) executives today and pointing out the serious ramifications of this decision," O'Donohue said.

"There is the possibility of disaffiliation."

O'Donohue said the PDFL would be given a short time-line to formally accept the changes before action was taken.

"As far as our appeals process goes, that has been exhausted," he said.

"The football process are all done and these changes are final."

The VCFL and Picola league have been at loggerheads following the controversial revamp of football across the GoulburnMurray region.

The PDFL was initially ordered to adopt five new clubs next year, including Shepparton East, Dookie United, Violet Town, Thornton-Eildon and Alexandra.

The reshuffle emerged after the VCFL's decision to disband the Central Goulburn Football League at the end of the 2005 season.

However, backlash from the existing Picola league clubs forced a rethink from the VCFL, which eventually decided only Shepparton East and Dookie United should move into the PDFL.

Einsporn said should her league be bumped from the VCFL nest, there was no opportunity to seek affiliation with AFLNSW.

"That's not an option," she said.

"Court's the only avenue."

The VCFL is expected to receive far less opposition from the Murray and Kyabram district football leagues, which have also been allocated additional clubs under the shake up.

Murray announced on Monday it was all-but certain to take Rumbalara, while KDFL secretary Greg Watson said his league would green-light the introduction of both Yea and Violet Town.

Remaining CGFL clubs Alexandra and ThorntonEildon have been told to join the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League, but are resisting the instruction.

Shepparton East officials said they were stunned by continued opposition to the Bombers' transfer request.

Club secretary Jock Spencer said yesterday he was baffled as to why the PDFL didn't want his club.

"There's only the two of us now (Shepparton East and Dookie United) to come in and I don't see why they don't want us," Spencer said.

"It will make the league stronger and it's not like they've got to travel two hours to play us."

Spencer said he expected the Bombers would eventually gain entry to the Picola league, however, he said the current delays were hurting the club.

"Players won't commit until they know where we're playing," he said.

"I've been told we'll get in, but we need to know officially."

Meanwhile, Dookie United said it didn't view its proposed move to the PDFL as a stop-gap measure.

The Kangaroos have been eyeing off a place in the PDFL for the past three years, according to cocoach Brad Montgomery.

"We really want to be part of the league," Montgomery said yesterday.

"It's not just a matter of putting us somewhere. We want to be a part of the Picola league, that's what makes this (delay) so frustrating."

Montgomery said the doubt surrounding his club's immediate playing future made it virtually impossible to recruit new players, particulalry those studying at University of Melbourne's Dookie campus.

"We've got kids at college who will be heading home in four weeks and want to know what's going on," he said.

"They get pressure from their home clubs (to play), so we need to know what we're doing.

"They're excited by the possibility of playing in the Picola league (and) that's why we're really anxious to get a favourable response."

[Andyt30]

Hope NSWAFL sticks up for VCFL and blocks Picola & District from joining thier district
it could happen too love to see them being laughed at by vcfl if NSWAfl rejects Picola

[Doona2]

Hope NSWAFL sticks up for VCFL and blocks Picola & District from joining thier district
it could happen too love to see them being laughed at by vcfl if NSWAfl rejects Picola

VCFL are dead serious about disaffiliation too. Where will they get umpires from, player and public liability insurance, how do they handle clearances? Will VCFL registered players be allowed to be cleared there, or will they be allowed to be cleared back - will make for some interesting test cases.

[Andyt30]

they will try everything to make it impossible eg warn the Picola league if the defiliate they will be fined heavely hoping to deter them from leaving :)

[Doona2]

they will try everything to make it impossible eg warn the Picola league if the defiliate they will be fined heavely hoping to deter them from leaving :)

I think the PDFL executives realise the severity of all this, it's the clubs that need pursuading.

A 15 team comp will struggle to work long term so again expect a shake-up in the near future - you'll play possibly 2-3 clubs twice the rest once a season.

[Andyt30]

if remaining CGFL had any brains they tell PDFL they can drop on their heads ;)

[Doona2]

if remaining CGFL had any brains they tell PDFL they can drop on their heads ;)

unfortunately no remaining cgfl, the vcfl pulled the plug on it

[Andyt30]

theybe better of in the KDFL anyways a better league hope no club jumper clashes ? anyways they be too good for PDFL :) we went though mergers up here in 1997 Southern mallee and Northern mallee football league and there was no bickering eg picola with CGFL sides , we didn't complain about travelling wise our under 16's started 11.00 no earlier games so not as bad mangatang, ouyen & Walpeup-Underbool was the further for us at Brim we now merged with Warracknabeal end of 2000

[Doona2]

Wait a year, then revisit footy review

October 20 2005
Shepparton News
Is anyone happy with the GoulburnMurray football restructure?
A preliminary notice and nomination dated March 8, 2005, was circulated by John O'Donohue, WorkSafe VCFL north-east area manager, regarding the establishment of an investigative committee into the composition of football in the GoulburnMurray region.

The notice went on to say the investigation committee would explore the medium and long-term future composition of football in the region, based on local opinion and local knowledge.

After the first meeting of the GoulburnMurray investigation committee, O'Donohue stated the committee has not been convened to identify solutions or make recommendations, rather gather information in this the initial stage.

O'Donohue's media release in late July repeated that it has never been the intention of the investigation to make recommendations or give direction to clubs and leagues, but rather examine the medium and longterm future composition of football in the region based on local opinion and knowledge.

O'Donohue's memo to all GoulburnMurray region clubs dated August 24 states it has been the intention - as indicated to all concerned parties throughout - to draw to a conclusion and resolution by the end of August, of which we are on schedule.

It is appropriate to inform all clubs that a resolution has been established.

The memo goes on to say that this will result in the demise of the Central Goulburn Football League with the three most southern CGFL clubs to be accommodated in the Goulburn-Murray region.

It is history now that the investigation committee's resolution was rolled out on August 29 at the Barooga Sports Club.

The Goulburn-Murray region was thrown into turmoil as the football world reacted with a tidal wave of emotion spread through every town and community.

A subsequent epidemic of NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) caused clubs and leagues to slam their doors shut to reinforce the collective refusal to consider any change that may impact on them in any way.

So, where to from here?

The five leagues in the region are all impacted in some way or another: the Murray Football League has appealed against the inclusion of Rumbalara, the Picola District Football League are appealing against the restructure resolution, the Kyabram District Football League has voted to accept Violet Town but voted against the inclusion of Alexandra, Thornton-Eildon and Yea, the Goulburn Valley Football League awaits the outcomes patiently, and the CGFL is to be disbanded.

The WorkSafe VCFL has also identified possible future movement in the Coreen Football League that could impact on the Picola District Football League, some initial progress with the emergence of a new league in the Echuca region that could impact on neighbouring leagues, and possible future needs for a southern league that may incorporate clubs such as Broadford and Kilmore that could impact on the KDFL.

The climate of the Goulburn-Murray region could be described as stormy, but has been subject to change at short notice during the whole investigation process; the WorkSafe VCFL hierarchy is now left with the unenviable task of trying to find some solution that can be acceptable to the majority of clubs and leagues in the region.

Is it possible that with the current attitudes to the suggested restructure and the potential for further change in the near future, that the solution could be to leave things as they are for the present, with a refreshed look by an independent review panel over the next 12 to 18 months?

It should be argued that change should not occur just for the sake of change, with clubs and leagues opposed if it is seen that the process could be repeated again within a couple of years.

It is not too late to put the current restructure proposals on hold pending future developments of other leagues.

The WorkSafe VCFL can still give life to the CGFL - it has not been buried yet.

We wait to see what happens.

Ray Steyger, Alexandra Football-Netball Club president and CGFL senior vicepresident


Alexandra to keep fighting against going over the hills

By Bill McCarthy

October 20 2005
Shepparton News

Alexandra Football-Netball Club still feels it has no future in the Yarra ValleyMountain District Football League.
The town is getting behind the Rebels in trying to keep north of the ranges between the Murrindindi headquarters and the Yarra Valley.

Club president Ray Steyger said two meetings had taken place in the town to discuss the Victorian Country Football League's decision that the club go to theYV-MDFL.


One was a football-netball committee meeting and the other a meeting with the Alexandra Traders Association.

Steyger said the club still had very strong support from the community to "keep us on this side of the hill".

The Alexandra action this week followed strong statements by both Steyger and VCFL chief Glenn Scott on the matter in the past week.

Steyger distributed an email giving his version of the state of the Goulburn-Murray investigation process, which was strongly critical of the situation.

Scott's response said: "The board reject and are disappointed with the content of the email and in particular that the matter is in turmoil throughout the Goulburn-Murray region and that the best solution is that the Central Goulburn be retained, rehashing the process and promoting any perceived imperfections with the process is not in the past."

Scott went on to say the CGFL would not be reformed.

He said the VCFL supported the Alexandra and Thornton-Eildon clubs' efforts to meet with the Kyabram District Football League executive and in turn the clubs.

"Unfortunately now all avenues have been explored and the VCFL board wish to emphatically state that the only option remaining is for both clubs to affiliate with the YVMDFL," Scott said.

He said the VCFL and its board recognised there were challenges ahead and pledged the full support of the VCFL, Netball Victoria, the YV-MDFL management and clubs and Seymour Junior Football League.

[Andyt30]

i think KDFL Should throw a life line to the cgfl as times running out be footy before we know it.

[RiverinAFL]

Well seeing the VCFL and Southern NSW AFL will be having talks next year about a restructure of NE/N VIC and Southern NSW. Why don't they just place Yea / E-Thorn in KDFL/PDFL for one year. I can gather there will probably be some major changes made for 2007 and beyond, hopefully for the betterment of footy in country Vic and SNSW.

[Doona2]

Well seeing the VCFL and Southern NSW AFL will be having talks next year about a restructure of NE/N VIC and Southern NSW. Why don't they just place Yea / E-Thorn in KDFL/PDFL for one year. I can gather there will probably be some major changes made for 2007 and beyond, hopefully for the betterment of footy in country Vic and SNSW.

Good mail there RiverinAFL, that's exactly the word of whats gunna happen. Within 2-3 years there will be a complete geographical overhaul of country footy, and like it or not this time it will effect plenty more clubs.

[Andyt30]

yep i can see some big changes i'd say every league, particually up here with Mallee, Wimmera, horsham dist, north central KNTFL , etc Wimmera is trying to get a 10th club, either Donald or St Arnaud both ideal not that far to go , wimmera's been 9 since Jeparit left the Wimmera 1990 when Jeparit moved to southern Mallee In wimmera they had some flogging being belted every week around 30-40 goals
hope vcfl gets it all correct,

[Andyt30]

Picola has accepted Shepparton east & Dookie united into the fold for 2006 season
according to
:: Picola & District FL News Item

21-10-2005

2 new Clubs in 2006

Welcome

Dookie United Football & Netball Club Shepp East Football Club

[Doona2]

We'll have them

By Mark Brown

October 24 2005
Shepparton News

The defiant Picola District Football League has been forced to recant its hard-line stance and officially adopt Dookie United and Shepparton East for the 2006 season.
The backflip came after the game's governing body, the Victorian Country Football League, officially threatened to banish the PDFL into football oblivion.

The PDFL was given just 48 hours to accept the changes on Wednesday afternoon or risk being disaffiliated from the VCFL.

"We received a letter from the VCFL at 5 pm on Wednesday that said if we didn't accept both clubs (Dookie United and Shepparton East), we'd be disaffiliated," PDFL secretary Deanne Einsporn said yesterday.

"We had a league meeting on Thursday night and the clubs voted in favour of changes 8-5."

The ultimatum came after the Picola League initially opposed the move at a club delegates' meeting last Monday night. The refusal continued the PDFL's public contempt for the shake-up and its process, which included the league thumbing its nose at the VCFL for more than a month.

"We expected a strong response (from the VCFL)," Einsporn revealed.

"The feeling at Thursday's meeting was basically lets put this behind us and get on with footy."

Einsporn said the introduction of Shepparton East and Dookie was a far better result for the league than the VCFL's original proposal.

Following the disbandment of the Central Goulburn Football League in September, the PDFL was earmarked to adopt up to five new clubs, including southern-based sides Thornton-Eildon and Alexandra.

That suggestion was binned following universal outcry from existing PDFL clubs.

Einsporn said each club would still play nine home and nine away matches under next year's fixture.

She said the new clubs would not result in the PDFL being split into two divisions.

"We'll just run a traditional fixture catering for 15 sides, not 13," Einsporn said.

"I hope to have the draw out in the next couple of weeks.

"Teams will play 18 homeand-away matches with three byes."

[Andyt30]

like Goulburn Valley also going to have a 18 round competition which is normal for coutry football not too many play more then 18 any more then 18 it makes the season too long and Players hated playing 20 or 21 i read on shepparton news they voted for 18 rounds which i reckond long enough. with also the interleague bye

[Wayde Petersen]

This whole thing couldn't have been handled any worse if the VCFL had tried, I don't think anyboby's really happy with it (especially Alexandra & Thornton/Eildon, who now in footballing pergatory).

The PDFL had to accept Dookie & Shepp East, the cost in not accepting them would've been far too great, and David McKenzie (PDFL Boss Cockie), knew this, but both of them have to change thier logo & jumper (Dookie will probably don Adelaide colours and be called the Crows & Shepp East might wear Port Adelaide colours and be called the Power).

Our League, the Kyabram League, and I can only speak for ourselves here, we DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO TRAVEL TO ALEXANDRA & THORNTON/EILDON, it's bad enough that we've got to got all the way to Yea next year to play without having to all all the way over there just to play sport, I mean really, the distance from Alexandra (and Thornton/Eildon) to Healseville is 65 k's one way and the greatest distance traveled in the YVMDFL would either be at Powelltown or Gembrook (which would be around 120k's one way), and if given time, who knows, there might be a thriving Netball Comp in the YVMDFL, but it's got to start somewhere.

Clubs like Girgarre & Lancaster would have to go well over 200k's one way, waking up at a sparrows fart to play at 10:00 in the morning for thirds, it's just plain stupid, and if we have to accept both (or anyone of those clubs), I and many others would be bloody annoyed to say the least.

But if we did have to accept them, we would do it only on the proviso that this whole re-structuring process gets started again, and really gets fair dinkum (i.e bringing back the old Tungamah & Waranga North East Leagues, and having a more streamlined GV, Picola, Murray & Kyabram Leagues).

[RiverinAFL]

Clubs like Girgarre & Lancaster would have to go well over 200k's one way, waking up at a sparrows fart to play at 10:00 in the morning for thirds, it's just plain stupid, and if we have to accept both (or anyone of those clubs), I and many others would be bloody annoyed to say the least.

We have a similar issue up in the Riverina Football League. There are usually forfeits between Griffith and Wagga sides when teams are opposed on Saturdays. Most of the Under 19's have work committments and cannot attend. Usually a number of U16's have to step up but more than not a forfeit is on the cards. The RFL is a Sat/Sun league. Each club is allocated Saturday and Sunday matches throughout the season.

[RiverinAFL]

Good mail there RiverinAFL, that's exactly the word of whats gunna happen. Within 2-3 years there will be a complete geographical overhaul of country footy, and like it or not this time it will effect plenty more clubs.

Cheers Doona. Would be great to see the good ol' days and get some of those old District leagues back. Reduce the travel
likes of
Kerang And District Football League
Mid-Murray Football League
Benalla-Yarrawonga Line League / Benalla-Tungamah League
Southern Riverina Football League (Opperated till 1931 with a mix of Murray and Picola & Coreen clubs) Could be the for-runner of an expanded Coreen league.
Waranga-Northeast Football League (Could become Waranga-Goulburn Football League)

Just a thought!!

I also like the idea from a post elsewhere in the forum about Major centres becoming the focus centre for district leagues. Each League would have a distance radius set. So clubs within it could compete, thus reducing travel and creating a more local community based league.

Obviously there would be some towns that fit in both but I'm sure that could be knutted out.

Places like Numurkah, Kyabram, Benalla, Seymour, Kerang, Deniliquin, Corowa, Ararat, Stawell, Horsham, Swan Hill, Bairnsdale, Sale, Tarralgon, Morwell just to name a few.

I have a long weekend coming up so might try and put something together with current clubs throughout Vic/NSW/SA

[Andyt30]

Dose Picola & district Football league play their grand final all at one ground or do they share it around like this year they played at KAtunga?
Like in Wimmera football league they like to keep it central, either horsham or warracknabeal or Dimboola depending whos playing
when horshams plays say horsham united they play the grand final in Horsham
cheers

[themagicfrog]

The Picola GF is played every year at Katunga, Other finals are shared with the other grounds. I've got no idea how it's going to work this year. Can not see it changing much. Don't know if the final 6 will stay, most likley will. Have not heard what they are going to do. I was on the Berrigan Committee for the last three years but have moved 3000 k's north this year so I don't get to hear much anymore. I thank Doona2 for all his info, because I don't exactly get teh Shepp News up here!

[Andyt30]

its good for the Grand final to be at one ground. The mallee Football league who Brim use to be in play the grand final share it around they never have it at a town who are in the Grand final like one year it could be Sea/Lake nandaly, next could be Hopetoun or even Beulah but finals they had say northern clubs one year then southern clubs the next year
In wimmera league, warrack eagles hosted 2 grand finals 2003 & 2005 2004 was in Horsham,

yeah they try and keep it central, to make it fair on all clubs. if they can , from Brim Ararat is the furtherest, next would be Nhill .

hope to do another game in Shepparton area next year when we got a break up here during interleague weekend good to get around meet other Umpires from Differnt associations, i'm a goal umpire .
cheers

[Doona2]

November 2 2005
Shepparton News

Public relation exercises don't get any uglier than the recent revamp of football across the Goulburn Murray region.
Talk about stumbling from one disaster to the next.

The Victorian Country Football League's decision to disband the troubled Central Goulburn Football League was always going to be contentious, but it should never have been allowed to descend into the chaos that followed.

Club revolts, threats of disaffiliation and possible votes of no-confidence.

They all could have been avoided had a crumb of common sense prevailed.

Here are three decisions that condemned the overhaul to failure.

1. Trying to drip-feed the public - From the outset the VCFL was hell bent on releasing details when, and if, it saw fit.

The cloak of secrecy surrounding the revamp gave the impression something shifty was afoot.

In late July, the VCFL said: " There's no big restructure in the pipeline", as a result of its investigation into the state of football across the region.

Less than two weeks later it emerged the CGFL was gone.

Total disclosure wasn't necessary from the outset, but as the VCFL learnt the hard way, there's no such thing as a secret in footy.

2. The decision to disband the CGFL, and then keep it quiet - The VCFL made it abundantly clear to CGFL secretary Keith Wellman that his league was done and dusted at a meeting in Bendigo.

Then, when Wellman released the details to the media, he was lambasted by a high-ranking VCFL official, giving the impression things were out of hand.

3. The proposal to expand the Picola District Football League to an 18-team competition - This was always going to be a long shot.

The PDFL apparently lobbied for the additional clubs, which initially included Thornton-Eildon, Alexandra, Shepp East, Dookie United and Violet Town.

However, it did so without first consulting its existing 13 clubs. Big mistake.

The other big error was the delay between confirming the 18-team competition and releasing how the expanded league would be structured.

The VCFL announced on August 29 the PDFL would become an 18-team comp, but it wasn't until September 8 that details on how the league would work began to surface.

The delay led to scaremongering and ultimately condemned the idea to the scrap heap.

[Doona2]

East in good stead for its next chapter

By Bill McCarthy

November 10 2005
Shepparton News


Shepparton East will enter the Picola District Football League with a highly stable coaching panel.
Gerard Doyle will create a club record when he continues as senior coach for the sixth season.


The previous record was held by Stan Jaques, who led the Bombers for five years.


Doyle has guided Shepparton East to two Central Goulburn Football League premierships since returning to the club from Shepparton United.

He also captained the league in an interleague contest against Kyabram District Football League and assisted on the coaching and selection panels in other seasons.

Shepparton East's senior assistant coaches will again be Troy Topp and Adrian Cole.


An on-baller, Cole joined the side last season from Numurkah, while rover Topp came from Echuca United two seasons ago.

Topp kicked the winning goal in the replayed grand final against Rumbalara at Violet Town last year.

Steve Reeves will coach the all-conquering reserves again.

Reeves has coached the side for the past two seasons and won the league leading goalkicker award this year.


The team will be a strong contender for a Picola District reserves flag, after winning seven Central Goulburn premierships in a row and losing few games in those seasons.

Also reappointed are coaches of the thirds, Wayne Dreher, and fourths, Dave Andrew.


Club secretary Marcus Spencer said the club was talking to new recruits, but had not signed any yet.


Spencer said the club hoped to retain all its promising thirds players, plus a large percentage of last season's senior playing list.