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Goulburn Valley FL 2026

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We came up with a structure for Central Victoria a few years ago on the Bendigo league page with the BFNL as Division 1 then the clubs from the other regional leagues forming Division 2 East and West and Division 3 East and West. I think there was even a single-team division for the strugglers that had issues fielding reserves or under 18 so they could regroup and work their way back up the system.

The biggest issue is buy-in from all leagues in a region, as most are suspicious of the motives of others (e.g. Heathcote with the CV hub due to the club transfers that did not proceed). The other major issue is where netball stands in it all (a football club at Division 2 or 3 could have a netball team that could be competitive in Div 1 and have no challenge playing in Div 2 or 3, causing players to move to a club with netball in a higher division).

Leagues like the North Central will not buy in due to them having hockey.

Leagues also have different age groups for juniors that could cause problems for clubs if they were forced to restructure juniors.

Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all scenario as leagues have different formats.
 
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MortlockWatcher said:
We came up with a structure for Central Victoria a few years ago on the Bendigo league page with the BFNL as Division 1 then the clubs from the other regional leagues forming Division 2 East and West and Division 3 East and West. I think there was even a single-team division for the strugglers that had issues fielding reserves or under 18 so they could regroup and work their way back up the system.

The biggest issue is buy-in from all leagues in a region, as most are suspicious of the motives of others (e.g. Heathcote with the CV hub due to the club transfers that did not proceed). The other major issue is where netball stands in it all (a football club at Division 2 or 3 could have a netball team that could be competitive in Div 1 and have no challenge playing in Div 2 or 3, causing players to move to a club with netball in a higher division).

Leagues like the North Central will not buy in due to them having hockey.

Leagues also have different age groups for juniors that could cause problems for clubs if they were forced to restructure juniors.

Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all scenario as leagues have different formats.
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junior sport needs to be about development understanding its community footy not winning at all cost which is a major issue.
Line coaches , stats and sophisticated game plans with a team that can’t perform basic kicking , marking or tacking skills is unfortunately a common occurance .
If everyone took an approach to do whatever is possible to have as many people as possible playing the game at the their highest possible level between the age of 22-29 alot of player shortage and player payment issues would be mitigated if not eradicated.
Instead we have clubs pursuing kids at as young as 12-13 with fake promises .
And then the player fallout and playing bidding begins.
I’m actually quite optimistic that community , minor level football will continue to have a place, that’s not to say it won’t have its challenges .
The future of major / premier leagues is intriguing IMO , there seems to be some intent by some to drive toward elitism with little concerns for the community aspect and assumption everything should be tailored toward premier league . Whilst there are also many within premier leagues who believe their club should be representative of their region and place community engagement as a high priority .
This alone is causing a major issue at premier league level across the state ATM , with spot fires developing everywhere .
AFL Vic’s statement acknowledging RAC’s were detrimental was viewed as an intent to listen and make decisions to increase participation .
Some pretty publicised decisions / statements since have been viewed to be in contrary .
AFLGM’s statements re RAC , Gisbourne , Kyneton’s girls and woman's , Barooga’s girls and woman’s .
 
The Roar Is Back said:
junior sport needs to be about development understanding its community footy not winning at all cost which is a major issue.
Line coaches , stats and sophisticated game plans with a team that can’t perform basic kicking , marking or tacking skills is unfortunately a common occurance .
If everyone took an approach to do whatever is possible to have as many people as possible playing the game at the their highest possible level between the age of 22-29 alot of player shortage and player payment issues would be mitigated if not eradicated.
Instead we have clubs pursuing kids at as young as 12-13 with fake promises .
And then the player fallout and playing bidding begins.
I’m actually quite optimistic that community , minor level football will continue to have a place, that’s not to say it won’t have its challenges .
The future of major / premier leagues is intriguing IMO , there seems to be some intent by some to drive toward elitism with little concerns for the community aspect and assumption everything should be tailored toward premier league . Whilst there are also many within premier leagues who believe their club should be representative of their region and place community engagement as a high priority .
This alone is causing a major issue at premier league level across the state ATM , with spot fires developing everywhere .
AFL Vic’s statement acknowledging RAC’s were detrimental was viewed as an intent to listen and make decisions to increase participation .
Some pretty publicised decisions / statements since have been viewed to be in contrary .
AFLGM’s statements re RAC , Gisbourne , Kyneton’s girls and woman's , Barooga’s girls and woman’s .
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One of the first things community level junior football clubs need to do is stop having multiple coaches and line coaches. It’s crazy. As you have stated just concentrate on fundamental skill development with basic team rules and game plan. The notion that kids are listening to line coaches in small groups at the breaks is preposterous and needs to stop.
 

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Shinjuku said:
One of the first things community level junior football clubs need to do is stop having multiple coaches and line coaches. It’s crazy. As you have stated just concentrate on fundamental skill development with basic team rules and game plan. The notion that kids are listening to line coaches in small groups at the breaks is preposterous and needs to stop.
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It should all be about skill acquistion. Junior coaches that have the kids running 400's etc are not helping.
 
HardBallgets02 said:
just stirring he moved away for work up in Albury is moving back home will be better off for the experience playing in a rough Hume league was nicknamed meatball for a bit but will be a good pick up for the dogs
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15 senior games for 1 best players for Tatura back in 2023. Only 5 games in total in 2024 and then played Hume league football this year. Doesn't seem anything special? However really think James Bennett is set to help the dogs survive in 2026.
 

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Blues1977 said:
15 senior games for 1 best players for Tatura back in 2023. Only 5 games in total in 2024 and then played Hume league football this year. Doesn't seem anything special? However really think James Bennett is set to help the dogs survive in 2026.
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They've done the right thing, they would be aiming for 5 wins this year, get some local experience behind some of their better thirds, then look for 8 wins in 2027. Then theyll have a nucleus of a good side to recruit
 
Trent from barwon Heads said:
They've done the right thing, they would be aiming for 5 wins this year, get some local experience behind some of their better thirds, then look for 8 wins in 2027. Then theyll have a nucleus of a good side to recruit
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They need good juniors coming through to have the nucleus of a good side in the future.. barnards 50k across multiple years could have been better spent and the locals will say the same thing
 
Trent from barwon Heads said:
Great to see the sparks name at rochy again, shows why we need a father son rule in Country footy, should be a 1 pointer
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Yeah was wondering when the Tigers were going to announce Tom Sparks. noosaboy might be able to fill us in. I think he had a serious knee in 2024 and worked his way back this year.
 

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Silver Tongue said:
Yeah was wondering when the Tigers were going to announce Tom Sparks. noosaboy might be able to fill us in. I think he had a serious knee in 2024 and worked his way back this year.
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Yeah Tommy just a ripping fella! An ‘A grade’ human who will be a fantastic club person at Rochy. Came back from a knee reco earlier this year and was super consistent in the Reserves and got a couple of Senior games.Hasnt missed a pre season session and has always had the idea to play where his Dad was obviously a gun and local favourite.We wish him all the best, more a running back flanker or wingman with plenty of pace and quite creative👍
 
noosaboy said:
Yeah Tommy just a ripping fella! An ‘A grade’ human who will be a fantastic club person at Rochy. Came back from a knee reco earlier this year and was super consistent in the Reserves and got a couple of Senior games.Hasnt missed a pre season session and has always had the idea to play where his Dad was obviously a gun and local favourite.We wish him all the best, more a running back flanker or wingman with plenty of pace and quite creative👍
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Any recruiting news lads?

Thoughts on top 6? Early days i know but I will have a crack.
Echuca
Rochester
Kyabram
Mansfield
Shepparton
Euroa
--'--------
Seymour
United
Mooroopna
Benalla
Swans
Tatura
 
Silver Tongue said:
Any recruiting news lads?

Thoughts on top 6? Early days i know but I will have a crack.
Echuca
Rochester
Kyabram
Mansfield
Shepparton
Euroa
--'--------
Seymour
United
Mooroopna
Benalla
Swans
Tatura
Click to expand...
Seymour is my smokey
Reckon they will play finals
Could be an interesting year
 
2026 January GVFL season summary incoming!!!! Off work until the 14th gents and got some time to kill!!!!

Ladder prediction...
1. Echuca... The great A. Byrne makes a huge difference for the Bombers. A lot back from injury including McHale and Evans. Great club. Bounce back season for the Murray boys. Playing away from home all year but will prove how good they are IMO. Byrne boys with 80 snags between them.
2. Kyabram... Stars across each line again in 2026. Well oiled machine and still one of the premier teams. R.Clark a good inclusion to the reigning premiers. M. Mattingly genuine GVFL star.
3. Rochester... Bloody well coached. Lost a granny by 5 goals without arguable two most important players D.Gordon and M.Cricelli. Have now added M.Hore for half a season which is going to be a great inclusion come June.
4. Mansfield... Hardly lose at home. Bank 8 wins from that. Beat a few Shep sides to make it 11-12 wins and they are once again top 4 finishers. W. Kelly to be a difficult match up and have the league BNF winner running around in C. Brown. New coach taking over a pretty good side will be interesting to see how it plays out.
5. Seymour... A few disappointing seasons from the Lions. Showed with a full side last year they are a top 6 side but failed to bring it all together on a consistent basis. Missed finals by 1 game last season and were very poor. Shows if they can get some consistency they'll give them selves a shot at the finals series. R.Mason's 4-5 games back from VFL will be crucial as they need him to qualify for Finals.
6. Bears... A. Holland, L.Smith and L. McShane are probably enough to get you through to finals football. 3x A Graders. Deakin wreaks havoc on opposition teams so can see the Bears doing enough to give themselves a chance to sneak in the finals. Haven't hear much not he recruiting front.
7. Swans... New coach, new playing group, new challenge. Seem to have lost players from this season with no new recruits? Still like the young talent they have and exciting brand they can produce. The loss of Kovacevic is enormous.
8. Benalla... Very active, new coach, new players, new adventure. Excited to see what the Saints have in store for 2026. A new coach from QLD may bring things with a twist. N. Warnock great at CHB and midfield is always solid with C. Welsh and J. Martinello. Will we see N. Wright enough? What a good player he was in 2025. If he kicks another 50+ the Saints have to rise up the ladder.
9. United... Great off-season recruiting. Love what they have done this offseason. B. Newman will be a top 3 swingman in the competition. Great addition to the club. Tough to beat at Deakin but haven't travelled very well in previous years if they can sneak a few away games you never know what could happen. Excitement will be up.
10. Euroa... New coach. Time will tell for the pies. Not enough A-graders to threaten finals but will push most teams in patches. Game plan needs revitalising. Relying on the same old guys once again will produce similar results. 2 huge ruckman sound promising and could really shake up their midfield which is much needed for the Pies. Lots of chat about how well they have done to recruit 2 monster rucks but hopefully have a few more in mind?
11. Mooroopna... J. Lamont has his work cut out but as always I am sure they will beat some teams well above them throughout the season. Lacking A-grade talent IMO and will drop from their 2025 output. If they can welcome a few familiar faces back they still have some good young talent.
12. Tatura... Long way off it. Movement in the recruiting world is positive but coming from a long way back with their lack of depth. J. Bennett is a good player and will be a welcome inclusion. Most recruits seem from minor leagues, so time will tell on their worth in the GV. 1-2 games better than last season.

Key 2026 recruits...
B. Newman to United
M. Hore to Rochy
W. Kelly to Eagles
A. Byrne back home to Echuca
M. Casey to United
 

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