Wimmera FL discussion 2026

[onekickwonder]

Asked the question to one of their junior coaches today to see if true and sort of got laughed at for asking. they had a meeting with all players sunday afternoon and had 40+ there. It sounds like their reserves is going to be stretched and lean and trying to get some guys back. Ben Miller back on for them which they will need

Maybe it was 40+ total people their, not players.

 

[RooBoy2012]

Asked the question to one of their junior coaches today to see if true and sort of got laughed at for asking. they had a meeting with all players sunday afternoon and had 40+ there. It sounds like their reserves is going to be stretched and lean and trying to get some guys back. Ben Miller back on for them which they will need

I got told 35 but close enough. 40 sounds better haha. I didn’t know the meeting was held in Nhill onekickwonder?

 

[SpecialBruce]

I got told 35 but close enough. 40 sounds better haha. I didn’t know the meeting was held in Nhill onekickwonder?

I am hearing that there will be some weeks that Dimboola won't be able to field a reserves team.

They are screwed.

 

[onekickwonder]

I am hearing that there will be some weeks that Dimboola won't be able to field a reserves team.

They are screwed.

Pretty sad isn’t it. Bit of a fall from grace from coming close in a semi final to losing heaps of players

 

[SpecialBruce]

Pretty sad isn’t it. Bit of a fall from grace from coming close in a semi final to losing heaps of players

Putting Dimboola aside which is a sad outcome at this stage, what is even more sadder is some clubs in other leagues struggling with juniors.

 

[stormtrooper88]

Putting Dimboola aside which is a sad outcome at this stage, what is even more sadder is some clubs in other leagues struggling with juniors.

I’d say it’s reality Gratezy, just need to adapt. Unfortunately no one out there willing to make the tough calls

 

[Gonearethe80s!]

I’d say it’s reality Gratezy, just need to adapt. Unfortunately no one out there willing to make the tough calls

I think ya right.. your going to see more and more clubs like Dimboola who need to be merging. look in district leauge. have the club share u17's or u14's and have reservers and seniors playing two games. one leauge needs to done.

 

[jwshrive]

In my opinion, junior numbers are going to be the biggest struggle for most clubs going forward - which won't be a revelation to anyone and continues the general post-COVID trend. But the problem is it's too hard to get permits and exceptions to allow players to play out of age as well, so where five years ago it was easy enough to top up a team with two or three players that were over- or under-aged, now AFL Victoria and the leagues just make it too hard. "Player required to make a team" is not a valid reason for a permit... which is all good and well, but then 12 or 14 odd kids miss out when a club can't field a side. And if a club can't field juniors this year, then the road back to filling Reserves or the bottom grades of netball is a steep one and it all snowballs from there. Not to mention the number of volunteers you lose if junior sides can't be filled because families go elsewhere. Much more flexibility and common sense is required if we're to keep all our current clubs afloat - otherwise football and netball in this region will look very different by 2030.

Another thing to consider is that junior numbers being low should not be an automatic reason to need to merge either. If two teams merge because of low juniors, but they were otherwise filling out all senior football and netball grades, then suddenly the next year there could be anywhere from 20 to 40 adults no longer playing local sport. Sure, some might have retired anyway or some recruits might not be returning, but in an era when people's activity levels are in decline and mental health issues are on the rise, having that outlet on a Saturday and that involvement in something bigger than the individual is still huge. So it can make it tough for clubs to talk merger if adult numbers are great, but junior numbers are struggling, especially if the latter is more so due to red tape.

 

[thedimmydarl]

Putting Dimboola aside which is a sad outcome at this stage, what is even more sadder is some clubs in other leagues struggling with juniors.

It’s very sad indeed Chris. My great nephew is distraught about the future of juniors

 

[chimp2022]

Anyone else hearing former Richmond player Shane Edward’s to the Warriors for 10 or so games? Apparently connection with coach Perry Meka from he’s time at the tigers.

 

[Gonearethe80s!]

Anyone else hearing former Richmond player Shane Edward’s to the Warriors for 10 or so games? Apparently connection with coach Perry Meka from he’s time at the tigers.

mate your the stawell contact. you tell us

 

[PerMitchCleary]

Rumour has it Hobbs to play a few games for the dee's this season. Port Melbourne have a bye round 1 of the Wimmera league. Lock it in Eddie

 

[onekickwonder]

Best 21 players going into season 2026
1 - Tom Willamson
2 - Matty Lloyd
3 - Kieran Delahunty
4 - Connor Mcfaydn
5 - Frazer Driscoll
6 - Billy Lloyd
7 - Paul Summers
8 - Ben Taylor
9 - Tom Mills
10 - Sam Hanna
11 - Tom Eckle
12 - John Jorgenson
13 - Jake Mcqueen
14 - Luke Fisher
15 - Mitch Martin
16 - Ben Miller
17 - Will Rowlands
18 - Daniel Guccione
19 - Cody Lindsay
20 - Brayden Draffin
21 - Coleman Schache

 

[dazzler101]

Gee, seems Dimboolas splash of cash has come back to haunt them severely. not good to see a local club with the numbers they are getting at a seriously low level. is there a world they dont compete in 2026? to only have near 25 players available by all reports for a season is seriously concerning.

 

[Thelocalplumber]

Gee, seems Dimboolas splash of cash has come back to haunt them severely. not good to see a local club with the numbers they are getting at a seriously low level. is there a world they dont compete in 2026? to only have near 25 players available by all reports for a season is seriously concerning.

If they didn’t “splash the cash” wouldn’t this situation have just arrived earlier? Can’t help increase the town population or participation in football when it’s declining everywhere. I think bringing in quality talent has always been good for the competition. Did see Dylan Landt won his 3rd NT League Medal. I’m sure there are things they would’ve done differently if they had the time again. But I do really do hope Dimboola are able to field two sides this year

 

[dazzler101]

If they didn’t “splash the cash” wouldn’t this situation have just arrived earlier? Can’t help increase the town population or participation in football when it’s declining everywhere. I think bringing in quality talent has always been good for the competition. Did see Dylan Landt won his 3rd NT League Medal. I’m sure there are things they would’ve done differently if they had the time again. But I do really do hope Dimboola are able to field two sides this year

Yep agree with this, was inevitable really. Begs the question why there is 2 leagues in Hosrham with numbers dwindling left right and centre. Of course Wimmera is much stronger, however the local areas dont have enough to support near 20 teams, despite having "fly in fly out" players both via road and plane.

be a shame, hopefully they get up for 2026 and are somewhat competitive weekly.

 

[Del233027]

Clubs will merge to keep an identity and play a few home games

 

[Gonearethe80s!]

Yep agree with this, was inevitable really. Begs the question why there is 2 leagues in Hosrham with numbers dwindling left right and centre. Of course Wimmera is much stronger, however the local areas dont have enough to support near 20 teams, despite having "fly in fly out" players both via road and plane.

be a shame, hopefully they get up for 2026 and are somewhat competitive weekly.

In my opinion, junior numbers are going to be the biggest struggle for most clubs going forward - which won't be a revelation to anyone and continues the general post-COVID trend. But the problem is it's too hard to get permits and exceptions to allow players to play out of age as well, so where five years ago it was easy enough to top up a team with two or three players that were over- or under-aged, now AFL Victoria and the leagues just make it too hard. "Player required to make a team" is not a valid reason for a permit... which is all good and well, but then 12 or 14 odd kids miss out when a club can't field a side. And if a club can't field juniors this year, then the road back to filling Reserves or the bottom grades of netball is a steep one and it all snowballs from there. Not to mention the number of volunteers you lose if junior sides can't be filled because families go elsewhere. Much more flexibility and common sense is required if we're to keep all our current clubs afloat - otherwise football and netball in this region will look very different by 2030.

Another thing to consider is that junior numbers being low should not be an automatic reason to need to merge either. If two teams merge because of low juniors, but they were otherwise filling out all senior football and netball grades, then suddenly the next year there could be anywhere from 20 to 40 adults no longer playing local sport. Sure, some might have retired anyway or some recruits might not be returning, but in an era when people's activity levels are in decline and mental health issues are on the rise, having that outlet on a Saturday and that involvement in something bigger than the individual is still huge. So it can make it tough for clubs to talk merger if adult numbers are great, but junior numbers are struggling, especially if the latter is more so due to red tape.

JW Shrive but I think clubs focus so much on byproduct and not pillars, and maybe think that’s where you’ve got it backwards. Strong " Local" senior numbers are a byproduct of a healthy club.. not the pillar that makes a club viable as a stand-alone entity. The real foundations is juniors, volunteers, families and a pathway for local kids to come through. If that base is weakening, then relying on adult numbers to justify survival is only masking the bigger issue and filling people's pride. On the men’s mental health point, I agree clubs play a huge role but that doesn’t mean the answer is keeping 40+ year olds running around indefinitely just so they can say they’re contributing or feel like its the only way. Clubs should be creating other ways for the guys to stay connected and involved through coaching, mentoring, volunteering, Boards and even if it's just bloody community leadership. Their value to a club shouldn’t be measured only by whether they still pull the boots on every Saturday to save the bloody day from a ressies side folding... Permit flexibility would help, no doubt, but it doesn’t change the broader reality that the region does not have the depth to keep propping up this many separate clubs and competitions forever. At some point, the focus has to shift from protecting identity to protecting long-term viability. Preserving strong clubs and strong communities matters more than preserving every badge in its current form and that seems to be the issue everyone struggles with... Take a look at every club in the leauge and count their travelers in seniors. top 5 all would have 8-14 bar ararat.

 

[jwshrive]

JW Shrive but I think clubs focus so much on byproduct and not pillars, and maybe think that’s where you’ve got it backwards. Strong " Local" senior numbers are a byproduct of a healthy club.. not the pillar that makes a club viable as a stand-alone entity. The real foundations is juniors, volunteers, families and a pathway for local kids to come through. If that base is weakening, then relying on adult numbers to justify survival is only masking the bigger issue and filling people's pride. On the men’s mental health point, I agree clubs play a huge role but that doesn’t mean the answer is keeping 40+ year olds running around indefinitely just so they can say they’re contributing or feel like its the only way. Clubs should be creating other ways for the guys to stay connected and involved through coaching, mentoring, volunteering, Boards and even if it's just bloody community leadership. Their value to a club shouldn’t be measured only by whether they still pull the boots on every Saturday to save the bloody day from a ressies side folding... Permit flexibility would help, no doubt, but it doesn’t change the broader reality that the region does not have the depth to keep propping up this many separate clubs and competitions forever. At some point, the focus has to shift from protecting identity to protecting long-term viability. Preserving strong clubs and strong communities matters more than preserving every badge in its current form and that seems to be the issue everyone struggles with... Take a look at every club in the leauge and count their travelers in seniors. top 5 all would have 8-14 bar ararat.

I couldn't agree more about the pillars - that is what makes a club and can be the difference between surviving as a standalone entity, merging at the right time, or folding. Unfortunately, the population decline continues to put sustained pressure on all clubs, and if a club is struggling off-field at present then that makes it even harder.

It's worth remembering that only 30 years ago the junior competition was completely separate and across clubs from both leagues. I am definitely not saying that is where we should head again, but clubs not having juniors (or having combined teams) has been done in the past.

I also don't think seniors players should be required, in football or netball, to be playing if they feel the game has passed them by, and I don't think I said as much. But the point I was making is that almost all clubs are low on junior numbers, but not all clubs are low on senior players for both sports. So the governing bodies should be making it easier for juniors to be involved and maintain interest, so they do then stay with the game and flow through into the senior ranks.

I would also say most clubs feel they are short on volunteers. I'm yet to meet anyone from any club who feels they have all bases covered. There are certainly opportunities for retired players to be involved, but are they taking them (and are they being approached)? Umpiring could certainly be included in this.

Long-term viability should be the forefront of everyone's mind, and that very well may be mergers. But the point I was making is that junior numbers alone should not be the only factor considered. Senior numbers, volunteers, finances, pre-junior numbers (such as Auskick), etc. all need to be factored in.

As I was typing this out, I quickly asked an AI platform to put together a couple of graphs (not fact checked, but they look near enough), showing population over time.



But what the above graph hides is the actual age breakdowns. Below in red is what we need, people aged 15 to 34 (or thereabouts) to sustain playing numbers. We talk about declining population, but that decline is actually localised to either certain smaller towns or more broadly certain age groups.



The graphs don't prove anything - they're just a point of interest (and may or may not be accurate).

And it would seem we are all below the Victorian average:



The full AI prompt I used and it's analysis might display here if anyone wants to see it's full summary: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/i-want-population-numbers-for-jKzp_EqyRmWYPcU0A76r_w

 

[PerMitchCleary]

What's the pass mark for every team this season?

 

[RooBoy2012]

What's the pass mark for every team this season?

Ararat flag

SMT, Nhill, Stawell all thinking grandfinal or bust.

Saints Finals.
Warrack finals.

No real pressure on other 3

 

[onekickwonder]

Ararat flag

SMT, Nhill, Stawell all thinking grandfinal or bust.

Saints Finals.
Warrack finals.

No real pressure on other 3

Think thunder would also be thinking flag is the pass mark after all these runner up years

 

[Grimmett]

Ararat vs Torquay PM today. Any reports?

 

[chimp2022]

Micheal Romero son of former Western bulldog Jose Romero signed with Stawell last week.
Elite small forward / midfielder with elite pace. Wasn’t quite good enough to make it to the top level but depending on games played this year will be easily be the best small forward in the league. Summers, Driscoll and him will make a dangerous trio.

 

[onekickwonder]

Micheal Romero son of former Western bulldog Jose Romero signed with Stawell last week.
Elite small forward / midfielder with elite pace. Wasn’t quite good enough to make it to the top level but depending on games played this year will be easily be the best small forward in the league. Summers, Driscoll and him will make a dangerous trio.

8 games since 2018. How’s that claim of yours that Shane Edwards is playing for stawell