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GRFL Discussion 2026

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MortlockWatcher

MortlockWatcher

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Truck said:
Nully didn't have a Hockey side when they came in. So I doubt it would be an issue.
You would like to think someone from the HUB or the NCFL have asked the question of Macorna, Wandella and Ultima.
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I think hockey is a sticking point.

Some football clubs in the region are having enough fun trying to scrounge up enough players to field two open-age football teams without having the headache of trying to form a hockey team from scratch just to satisfy the entry criteria for the NCFL.

The NCFL would have to cede ground on hockey in order to add more clubs in future, I reckon (but will the league do that?). I would reckon that some clubs have by-passed them in the past for that very reason.
 
royboy2 said:
Sadly I think this will be the case, The cash outlay required to compete in CM, unfortunately will kill off a few GR clubs.
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I suppose the issue for these GR clubs is whether they want to go to the Picola and continue on for 10-20 years (or more) or join the CMFL and potentially be gone within three years because they cannot compete and their clubs have no "point of difference" to offer as everyone in the region plays in the same league.

Personally, I'd be going the Picola option because there is a longer-term future there for the club which will benefit those communities in an economic way for the longer-term and also provides an upbeat community spirit if the footy and netball teams are more competitive in the league they are playing in.
 
royboy2 said:
Sadly I think this will be the case, The cash outlay required to compete in CM, unfortunately will kill off a few GR clubs.
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Wandella might need another Adrian burns coaching appointment.

The golden rivers was a great little league, you just have to look at the guys that played inyerleague in Barooga in the late 90s early 2000s and the Wakool and ultima teams,

Im not sure many of the murrabit, wandella, macorna guys currently in the seniors would be regular central murray players compared to twenty years ago
 

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royboy2 said:
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Ill have a crack, so many good players, only 1 or 2 years in the comp, like Brad Carroll, Parker, guest, hope, fitcher clough, omeara and myself


B P poodle morris - when doran was at hes peak, poodle used to smash him one on one, unbelievable centreman as well, as good as Jason degraff with hes balance from clearances
FB scratch Lancaster hes probably played senior footy for the whole 27 years existence of the league, at hes best a great one on one defender who was rarely beaten
BP Josh bray from enigmatic forward to the tom Stewart of Golden rivers central murray football

Hb Billy Hewitt could play anywhere and swing a game, great overhead and thumping left peg
Chb Jackson Ferguson- kept hay relevant for long periods of time
Hbf chocco chamberlain could play defence, midfield and attack and the best exponent of a shirt-front in country footy

W Maurie day - good luck keeping up to maurie on a wing all day, great kick as well
Centre - luke otoole - superstar player, could do it all

Wing Jason greenwood - underrated, great overhead, tough, run all day, the kouta of Golden rivers

Hff Billy McGowan - could have been one of the best half forward flankers/on ballers but was required closer to goal for hes team

Chf - chum Mr Golden rivers (c)

Hff Matt otoole - great player in the flags in the early naughties before going to golden square and winning 5 flags

Fp - Tony doran - the first time you see him you wonder how did get a kick let alone kick a ton of goals each season, undersized couldnt kick far yet kept kicking goals

Ff nats- powerful booming kick, would have kicked goals if he tried hes luck in the central murray, gv or Bendigo, incredibly loyal to murrabit

Fp - Shane Harvey- not sure if he got the 3 years or not but hes in, best player the leagues seen

Foll
Ryan petzke - tough, mobile could play as ruck rover at times and coach of the powerful ultima premiership sides

RR Daniel gash - read the game well, big bodied midfielder, premiership coach at Wedderburn too

Rover tim free - started when he was 15, putting hes body in where you shouldnt, skilful, tough courageous and great footy brain - hes early years at quamby and year at kerang showed he was a top liner, reckon he played hurt too often in later years

Interchange
Darrel bowden
Jason Hewitt
Andrew oberfelder
Jonno Doyle
 
Trent from barwon Heads said:
Ill have a crack, so many good players, only 1 or 2 years in the comp, like Brad Carroll, Parker, guest, hope, fitcher clough, omeara and myself


B P poodle morris - when doran was at hes peak, poodle used to smash him one on one, unbelievable centreman as well, as good as Jason degraff with hes balance from clearances
FB scratch Lancaster hes probably played senior footy for the whole 27 years existence of the league, at hes best a great one on one defender who was rarely beaten
BP Josh bray from enigmatic forward to the tom Stewart of Golden rivers central murray football

Hb Billy Hewitt could play anywhere and swing a game, great overhead and thumping left peg
Chb Jackson Ferguson- kept hay relevant for long periods of time
Hbf chocco chamberlain could play defence, midfield and attack and the best exponent of a shirt-front in country footy

W Maurie day - good luck keeping up to maurie on a wing all day, great kick as well
Centre - luke otoole - superstar player, could do it all

Wing Jason greenwood - underrated, great overhead, tough, run all day, the kouta of Golden rivers

Hff Billy McGowan - could have been one of the best half forward flankers/on ballers but was required closer to goal for hes team

Chf - chum Mr Golden rivers (c)

Hff Matt otoole - great player in the flags in the early naughties before going to golden square and winning 5 flags

Fp - Tony doran - the first time you see him you wonder how did get a kick let alone kick a ton of goals each season, undersized couldnt kick far yet kept kicking goals

Ff nats- powerful booming kick, would have kicked goals if he tried hes luck in the central murray, gv or Bendigo, incredibly loyal to murrabit

Fp - Shane Harvey- not sure if he got the 3 years or not but hes in, best player the leagues seen

Foll
Ryan petzke - tough, mobile could play as ruck rover at times and coach of the powerful ultima premiership sides

RR Daniel gash - read the game well, big bodied midfielder, premiership coach at Wedderburn too

Rover tim free - started when he was 15, putting hes body in where you shouldnt, skilful, tough courageous and great footy brain - hes early years at quamby and year at kerang showed he was a top liner, reckon he played hurt too often in later years

Interchange
Darrel bowden
Jason Hewitt
Andrew oberfelder
Jonno Doyle
Click to expand...
Who did Shane Harvey play with and when?
 
I haven’t watched it as long as others but over the last decade or so Watts is the one I’d put up with Ferguson. One of the biggest Bulls I’ve ever seen. Metro I imagine would be around the mark.
Never got to see Doran but crazy to think he was almost mid thirties by the time the Golden Rivers started and he still kicked that many goals.

You are always splitting hairs in these type of teams.
 

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Trent from barwon Heads said:
Ill have a crack, so many good players, only 1 or 2 years in the comp, like Brad Carroll, Parker, guest, hope, fitcher clough, omeara and myself


B P poodle morris - when doran was at hes peak, poodle used to smash him one on one, unbelievable centreman as well, as good as Jason degraff with hes balance from clearances
FB scratch Lancaster hes probably played senior footy for the whole 27 years existence of the league, at hes best a great one on one defender who was rarely beaten
BP Josh bray from enigmatic forward to the tom Stewart of Golden rivers central murray football

Hb Billy Hewitt could play anywhere and swing a game, great overhead and thumping left peg
Chb Jackson Ferguson- kept hay relevant for long periods of time
Hbf chocco chamberlain could play defence, midfield and attack and the best exponent of a shirt-front in country footy

W Maurie day - good luck keeping up to maurie on a wing all day, great kick as well
Centre - luke otoole - superstar player, could do it all

Wing Jason greenwood - underrated, great overhead, tough, run all day, the kouta of Golden rivers

Hff Billy McGowan - could have been one of the best half forward flankers/on ballers but was required closer to goal for hes team

Chf - chum Mr Golden rivers (c)

Hff Matt otoole - great player in the flags in the early naughties before going to golden square and winning 5 flags

Fp - Tony doran - the first time you see him you wonder how did get a kick let alone kick a ton of goals each season, undersized couldnt kick far yet kept kicking goals

Ff nats- powerful booming kick, would have kicked goals if he tried hes luck in the central murray, gv or Bendigo, incredibly loyal to murrabit

Fp - Shane Harvey- not sure if he got the 3 years or not but hes in, best player the leagues seen

Foll
Ryan petzke - tough, mobile could play as ruck rover at times and coach of the powerful ultima premiership sides

RR Daniel gash - read the game well, big bodied midfielder, premiership coach at Wedderburn too

Rover tim free - started when he was 15, putting hes body in where you shouldnt, skilful, tough courageous and great footy brain - hes early years at quamby and year at kerang showed he was a top liner, reckon he played hurt too often in later years

Interchange
Darrel bowden
Jason Hewitt
Andrew oberfelder
Jonno Doyle
Click to expand...
Id have Luke Maher in there aswell. Incredible footballer at Quambatook. Must've won 4/5 club best and fairest there along with 2 league medals aswell. Then back to Nyah where he would've won another 1 or 2 club best and fairest
 
Unsure of the rules around paywalls but here is the article anyway. https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/s...s-story/e28c0fc9ff38d7ed429209ada1863525?amp=
End of an era: Greatest Golden Rivers players named
Ahead of its final Grand Final on Saturday, The Weekly Times has selected a squad of the Golden Rivers’ finest players since 1998. See the full squad.
David Johnston
4 min read
September 3, 2025 - 5:00AM
The Weekly Times
The Golden Rivers league crowns its final premiership team at Macorna on Saturday amid lingering trepidation about what happens next for its six remaining clubs.
The league, which had its origins at the end of World War 1 under a different name, and had a player, Macorna’s Marsh Long, win six best and fairests in eight seasons when re-established at the end of World War 11, is being disbanded.
Known as the Kerang District league until the change to Golden Rivers in 1998 on the orders of the Victorian Country Football League to better reflect its make-up, the competition has had only six clubs since 2022 when Nullawil departed and Quambatook folded.
Another club, Wakool, also folded in 2018.
Ultima’s failed to application to join the higher standard Central Murray league last season triggered a region-wide review that recommended the Golden Rivers be wound up this year.
Ultima will be joined in the Central Murray next season by Saturday’s grand final opponent Hay, Moulamein, Murrabit and Wandella.
Macorna has broken ranks and is heading for Loddon Valley.
Former Golden Rivers league chief executive Keith den Houting

Former Golden Rivers league chief executive Keith den Houting
Keith den Houting, the league’s chief executive for more than a decade, said “no one is to blame” for its demise.
“I’m sad, but I am not angry,” he said.
“No doubt I’ve got some regrets it’s happening, but it’s been coming for 25 years.
“When Nullawil left, Quambatook left, Wakool left, all it did was push it along a bit quicker.
“You can’t blame Ultima because they’ve got to look after their future.
“To get players to come to our league you’ve got to be able to put something in front of them.
“But when you tell them we’ve only got six teams it’s a negative straight away.
“I’m excited to see the boys play new teams and at new venues.”
The board in charge of both leagues has decided the Central Murray name will remain with the influx of five new clubs.
But questions linger on whether the Golden Rivers clubs will have more money to spend on players and additional player points to help bridge the gap in standard with existing teams.
Murrabit president Ross Stanton said the Golden Rivers club had to reluctantly accept “change”.
“I know there are a lot of people who have been around Golden Rivers for a long time and will be really sad to see it go,” he said.
“But we can’t change that now.
“We were on a knife-edge as it was with only six clubs and when Ultima said they wanted to go we probably knew that would be the end.
“The only options we had were Central Murray or close the doors.
“It’s been a terrible process.”
Murrabit has appointed 2008 Hawthorn premiership player Rick Ladson as coach for next season in a bid to lure the extra talent required to compete at a higher level.
Luke O’Toole was a champion player for Ultima. Picture: Paul Anderson

Luke O’Toole was a champion player for Ultima. Picture: Paul Anderson
Ultima’s Luke O’Toole is widely regarded as the Golden Rivers best player since the 1998 name change and was also a star for Central Murray club Tyntynder.
The multiple premiership player and league best and fairest winner in both competitions said the pending change would prove to be the right call.
“I grew up in Ultima and is the reason I played a lot of my footy there,” he said.
“I’m sad about the Golden Rivers ending, but I’m also excited about being able to join the Central Murray.
“We’ve been talking about this for six or seven years.
“All our current players probably wouldn’t come back if things stayed the same.
“I think when we play Hay in the grand final on Saturday it will be the 15th time we’ve played them in three years.”
Tony Doran was a goalkicking machine for Nullawil when it played in the Golden Rivers league. Picture: Colleen Petch.

Tony Doran was a goalkicking machine for Nullawil when it played in the Golden Rivers league. Picture: Colleen Petch.

A GOLDEN AGE​

(The Weekly Times’ best team of players who have played in the Golden Rivers since the name change in 1998)*
BACKS
Simon Bunyan, Hay
League junior best and fairest winner, who has been a cornerstone of Hay’s line-up for most of his career.
Ryan Lancaster, Wandella
Five-time premiership player in more than 400 senior matches playing on all the best opposition forwards.
Jack Baker, Quambatook
Burst onto scene in late 2000s and was a great player for the Saints.
Wandella’s Ryan Lancaster Ryan Lancaster played more than 400 senior match for the club. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Wandella’s Ryan Lancaster Ryan Lancaster played more than 400 senior match for the club. Picture: Zoe Phillips
HALF-BACKS
Luke Maher, Quambatook
Dual league best and fairest winner who played his best football in midfield roles.
Jackson Ferguson, Hay
2019 league best and fairest winner who played in almost every key position and the ruck.
Jason Hewitt, Nullawil
Triple premiership key defender in one of the league’s strongest clubs.
Quambatook star Luke Maher.

Quambatook star Luke Maher.
CENTRES
Glenn Smith, Nullawil
Dual league best and fairest winner primarily as an onballer who also coached Nullawil.
Scott Mathiske, Nullawil
Defied his size to be a brilliant player for Nullawil, winning three club best and fairests and a league medal.
Jack Cattanach, Hay
Credited with 63 disposals one game this season, but has been a star for Hay in recent years. Won last year’s league best and fairest.
Wayne Mitrovic won two league best and fairests playing for Macorna. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Wayne Mitrovic won two league best and fairests playing for Macorna. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin
HALF-FORWARDS
Wayne Mitrovic, Macorna
Sandhurst flag captain who made a huge impact with two league best and fairests.
Andrew Oberdorfer, Nullawil
Tied with teammate Daniel Watts in the 2018 league best and fairest. Played in four flags as a key forward.
Mitch Farmer, Nullawil
Livewire forward who booted 87 goals in one of three premiership-winning seasons.
Thomas Isma representing the Golden Rivers league in 2018. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Thomas Isma representing the Golden Rivers league in 2018. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin
FORWARDS
Thomas Isma, Ultima, Moulamein
League best and fairest at two clubs in 2014 and 2019
Tony Doran, Nullawil
Legendary forward who brought up 3000 career goals in 2014, aged 49. Kicked more than 100 goals three times for Nullawil, which he also coached.
Heath Moloney, Moulamein
2023 league medal winner who completed a rare seniors-reserves club best and fairest double the following season.
Wandella ruckman Will Callow, left.

Wandella ruckman Will Callow, left.
FOLLOWERS
Will Callow, Wandella
Triple premiership player and 2008 league best and fairest. Dominant ruckman of modern era.
Luke O’Toole, Ultima
Undisputed superstar who played in six flags and won three league best and fairests.
Des Smith, Hay
Won a best and fairest before the 1998 name change, but remained a force and added another in 2001.
Murrabit premiership coach Nathan Henry. Picture: Aaron Cook

Murrabit premiership coach Nathan Henry. Picture: Aaron Cook
INTERCHANGE
Justin Robinson, Wandella
Nathan Henry, Murrabit
Matt Chamberlain, Wandella
Bill Auldist, Hay
EMERGENCIES
Josh Bode, Wakool, Nullawil
Daniel Watts, Nullawil
Michael Rowe, Macorna, Wandella
COACH
Luke O’Toole, Ultima

DISBANDED LEAGUES SINCE 2000​

(The leagues that have disappeared in last 25 years)
ALBERTON
Fish Creek, Foster, MDU, Stony Creek, Tarwin, Toora District
LEXTON PLAINS
Ararat Eagles, Carnaghm-Linton, Illabarook*, Lexton, Natte Bealiba, Navarre, Rokewood-Corindhap, Skipton
MALLEE
Ouyen United, Sea Lake-Nandaly, Southern Mallee, Walpeup-Underbool, Woomelang-Lascelles*
BENALLA DISTRICT
Bonnie Doon, Goorambat, Longwood, Swanpool*, Tatong*
HEYTESBURY-MT NOORAT
Heytesbury, Kolora, Noorat, Otway Districts, Simpson, Timboon
RIVIERA
Boisdale-Briagolong, Lindenow South, Nambrok*, Newry*, Paynesville, Stratford
*Folded
​
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Well done to hay, did they have 7 sides in the grand final? They look like they are as strong as they've ever been. If they could get Ferguson back and young Hargreaves after a full year playing ovens and murray footy, they could be very competitive in the central murray
 
Well done to Hay they were just too good and too many really good players. Ultima done really well to keep themselves in the game when it sort of looked like they shouldn’t have been.
I really hope Hay can keep everyone and top up with a few because they are capable of being competitive next year.
 

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harsh. but fair said:
Was anyone else a bit underwhelmed by the match day program on such an important day? Let’s just park to one side the $10 charge, but where were the past premiers, best & fairests, goal kickers, a good feature or two to celebrate s league as was promised.
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$10? :oops:
 
harsh. but fair said:
Was anyone else a bit underwhelmed by the match day program on such an important day? Let’s just park to one side the $10 charge, but where were the past premiers, best & fairests, goal kickers, a good feature or two to celebrate s league as was promised
Click to expand...
You are spot on here
 

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