MDFL 2026

[manang magoos]

Both forfeited due to Covid both sides played each other the week before

At this early stage only 4 can win it

Ararat Eagles
Lismore/ Derrinallum
Tatyoon
Woorndoo

As to the future of the league…I’d suggest to you that it is bleak.

No one lives in the majority of these towns / localities.

Effectively you have;

Tatyoon
Great Western
Moyston Willaura
Ararat Eagles

All coming out of Ararat

SMW Rovers
Lismore Derrinallum

Come out of Ballarat

Wickliffe Lake Bolac

Come out of Geelong

Woorndoo

Get a lot out of Camperdown

Caramut
Hawkesdale MacArthur
Penshurst

Come out of Warrnambool

Glenthompson Dunkeld

Come out of Hamilton


Caramut & Moyston Willaura are in serious trouble, but effectively so are a minimum 3-4 others. Covid and increasing fuel prices have meant that it’s a perfect storm, low player numbers, low volunteers and more importantly low crowds and low community interest.

There has been a review called for the region but I reckon it’s probably a bit too late for a few. There is some talk of some of the western end clubs heading back to the South West league but that would leave a few in a mess. Travel is massive in this league and I’m sure 2022 will be the last for a few and at an extreme level could be the end of the league.

Thanks Royboy

Yer see some big margins in games what’s happened to Great Western did they buy the premiership a few years ago or all Covid related

 

[western royboy]

Thanks Royboy

Yer see some big margins in games what’s happened to Great Western did they buy the premiership a few years ago or all Covid related

Na - perfect storm.

Built from the bottom (and they were awful) and brought in a few tiwi boys but had a genuinely good side which included picking off a few from the Wimmera League and a few from Moyston Willaura when things went pear shaped out there.

Essentially there’s a lot from Ararat and the Tarua boys have grabbed probably 5-6 and taken them into the Ararat Eagles and the Tiwi boys connection has been lost so take 6-10 of your best out of any side and add two to three years and this is what you get

 

[manang magoos]

Na - perfect storm.

Built from the bottom (and they were awful) and brought in a few tiwi boys but had a genuinely good side which included picking off a few from the Wimmera League and a few from Moyston Willaura when things went pear shaped out there.

Essentially there’s a lot from Ararat and the Tarua boys have grabbed probably 5-6 and taken them into the Ararat Eagles and the Tiwi boys connection has been lost so take 6-10 of your best out of any side and add two to three years and this is what you get

 

[western royboy]

Mininera GF this weekend

Tatyoon v Ararat Eagles at Glenthompson

Both sides go in having only lost one game to each other throughout the year.

Should be a very good game although the weather looks like having an impact.

Taty v Glen /Dunk in the 2’s

Penshurst v Caramut in the kids

 

[western royboy]

Three years after being on the end of one of the biggest thumping in footy history Ararat Eagles are Premiers after a stunning last quarter to defeat Tatyoon 13.10.88 to 5.13.43 at Glenthompson in front of a very big crowd. Tatyoon had their chances but missed lots of set shots that ultimately meant they failed to put the Eagles under the scoreboard pressure that they did in the 2nd Semi Final. They got to within 9 points at the start of the last quarter but when the game was up for grabs the Eagles leaders shone. The had a mantra which they were constantly reinforcing amongst the group “harder for longer“ and when the game needed to be one it was Tom Tarau, Naish McRoberts, Damian Joyner and co that lead the way. Lewis Medallist Jaydo Wright dominated the ruck and was good but it was the two younger big men Aiden Graveson who kicked 5 and Zac Jenkins who took home the Medals. Like Great Western before them the turnaround has been massive and they deserved their first premiership in the MDFNL.

 

[carloss]

Three years after being on the end of one of the biggest thumping in footy history Ararat Eagles are Premiers after a stunning last quarter to defeat Tatyoon 13.10.88 to 5.13.43 at Glenthompson in front of a very big crowd. Tatyoon had their chances but missed lots of set shots that ultimately meant they failed to put the Eagles under the scoreboard pressure that they did in the 2nd Semi Final. They got to within 9 points at the start of the last quarter but when the game was up for grabs the Eagles leaders shone. The had a mantra which they were constantly reinforcing amongst the group “harder for longer“ and when the game needed to be one it was Tom Tarau, Naish McRoberts, Damian Joyner and co that lead the way. Lewis Medallist Jaydo Wright dominated the ruck and was good but it was the two younger big men Aiden Graveson who kicked 5 and Zac Jenkins who took home the Medals. Like Great Western before them the turnaround has been massive and they deserved their first premiership in the MDFNL.

Massive turnaround

What do you do when your footy team's beaten by 509 points?

A scoreline of 79.41 (515) to 1.0 (6) has reversed a country AFL team's own, regular weekly triple-figure defeats. But is this just another tally of country footy's troubles?

www.abc.net.au

Jul 2019

Is Ararat's 509-point loss to Great Western a picture of the troubles facing country football?​

79.41 (515) to 1.0 (6)

 

[Aucklander]

2023

 

[Wild Thing]

2023

How are sides shaping up for 2023? Was Ararat Eagles flag a flash in the pan job or will they be the benchmark yet again? Who has recruited well? Which sides are on struggle street?

 

[western royboy]

How are sides shaping up for 2023? Was Ararat Eagles flag a flash in the pan job or will they be the benchmark yet again? Who has recruited well? Which sides are on struggle street?

The word on the underground grapevine is that the Eagles will lose quite a few after the flag with a number returning to their original clubs and Jaydo playing in Geelong although I heard he broke his leg in a motorcycle accident. Woorndoo have appointed multiple Maskell Medal and Hampden premie star Isaac Templeton as Coach, they are expected to be much fitter and one of the sides to beat. Tatyoon are always around the mark and I’d expect Lismore / Derri to be around the mark. In this league lose 3 or 4 or pick up 3 or 4 of quality and things can change rapidly. I would imagine Penshurst may be improvers on last year.

 

[RegionalFan]

The word on the underground grapevine is that the Eagles will lose quite a few after the flag with a number returning to their original clubs and Jaydo playing in Geelong although I heard he broke his leg in a motorcycle accident. Woorndoo have appointed multiple Maskell Medal and Hampden premie star Isaac Templeton as Coach, they are expected to be much fitter and one of the sides to beat. Tatyoon are always around the mark and I’d expect Lismore / Derri to be around the mark. In this league lose 3 or 4 or pick up 3 or 4 of quality and things can change rapidly. I would imagine Penshurst may be improvers on last year.

I think Tatyoon will end up being the team to beat, especially if Ararat have a few drop away after the win. Despite some of the results in finals felt those two teams were that level above the rest.

 

[western royboy]

I think Tatyoon will end up being the team to beat, especially if Ararat have a few drop away after the win. Despite some of the results in finals felt those two teams were that level above the rest.

List is ageing

 

[RegionalFan]

How are clubs looking? Lismore have a game against Avoca lined up for the 1st of April.

 

[western royboy]

How are clubs looking? Lismore have a game against Avoca lined up for the 1st of April.

Tatyoon / Lismore Derri / Woorndoo - strong

Ararat have lost quite a few - the Great Western boys have gone back I’m told

Penshurst have some good kids

Glen / Dunkeld as you were

Great Western / Hawkesdale MacArthur should be a bit better

Caramut / Moyston Willaura Rovers likely to be at the bottom although hopefully a bit stronger

 

[RegionalFan]

Tatyoon / Lismore Derri / Woorndoo - strong

Ararat have lost quite a few - the Great Western boys have gone back I’m told

Penshurst have some good kids

Glen / Dunkeld as you were

Great Western / Hawkesdale MacArthur should be a bit better

Caramut / Moyston Willaura Rovers likely to be at the bottom although hopefully a bit stronger

Thats good news for GW if theyve had some returns. Don't think Lismore Derri will get much out of the Avoca Practice Match. Anyone else got games lined up?

 

[western royboy]

Thats good news for GW if theyve had some returns. Don't think Lismore Derri will get much out of the Avoca Practice Match. Anyone else got games lined up?

No idea at this stage - Round 1 is April 15

 

[western royboy]

After Round 1 - on a very ordinary day so tread warily

Tatyoon - the side to beat recruited well very slick

Woorndoo / Mortlake - still a few to comeback in
Great Western - impressive will be better on a fast track
Ararat Eagles - lost a few back to GW and have a couple of injuries will still be up there
GlenThompson / Dunkeld - hard to get a guide but they’ll be thereabouts
Lismore / Derrinallum - as per above

Penshurst - very young all home grown - will cause trouble
Wickliffe / Lake Bolac - tough win at home against an improved team that still has a few to come back in
Hawkesdale / MacArthur - lost narrowly to WLB as above

Rovers - were ok yesterday but a long year ahead

Moyston / Willaura - got smashe yesterday - got more numbers no quality
Caramut - didn’t score…

 

[Wild Thing]

After Round 1 - on a very ordinary day so tread warily

Tatyoon - the side to beat recruited well very slick

Woorndoo / Mortlake - still a few to comeback in
Great Western - impressive will be better on a fast track
Ararat Eagles - lost a few back to GW and have a couple of injuries will still be up there
GlenThompson / Dunkeld - hard to get a guide but they’ll be thereabouts
Lismore / Derrinallum - as per above

Penshurst - very young all home grown - will cause trouble
Wickliffe / Lake Bolac - tough win at home against an improved team that still has a few to come back in
Hawkesdale / MacArthur - lost narrowly to WLB as above

Rovers - were ok yesterday but a long year ahead

Moyston / Willaura - got smashe yesterday - got more numbers no quality
Caramut - didn’t score…

Caramut no score? WOW Have been treading water for the best part of 25 years since the days of Mifsud. Should they realistically be looking to merge??

 

[MortlockWatcher]

with someone to their west?

 

[western royboy]

Mergers / amalgamations are inevitable - I would be astounded if it’s a 12 team competition next year. Likely to be 10 at best

 

[MortlockWatcher]

Unfortunately, I agree.

However we will see a number of mergers eventuate over the next 12 months throughout the state.

 

[western royboy]

This is a very even competition in 2023. The top 10 sides are all very. I expect Rovers to finish 10th but they are more than competitive with the top sides. 3 close gams on the weekend, one 5 goal game and two thumpings.

Hard pick a top 5 bar Tatyoon at this stage.

 

[Wild Thing]

This is a very even competition in 2023. The top 10 sides are all very. I expect Rovers to finish 10th but they are more than competitive with the top sides. 3 close gams on the weekend, one 5 goal game and two thumpings.

Hard pick a top 5 bar Tatyoon at this stage.

What’s the go with Caramut mate? No goals again this week. What do you think the future holds for them?
If they were to look down the merger alternative what are their best options? Only so long you can keep fronting up and getting belted!

 

[western royboy]

What’s the go with Caramut mate? No goals again this week. What do you think the future holds for them?
If they were to look down the merger alternative what are their best options? Only so long you can keep fronting up and getting belted!

Honestly…they’re ****ed

They have been trying to survive for years and were sort of heading in the right direction but they’re not now. There are a few whispers around about leagues realigning and one of them involves the adjoining Sth West league effectively becoming a Hamilton centric league and bringing the western end clubs of Mininera into it. Caramut has three options;

1. Merge with Penshurst
2. Merge with Woorndoo
3. Fold

Both options 1 & 2 have been mooted before but with a mixed response.

If there were to be some movement on leagues realigning, the logic says you have the sides within a 50km radius of Hamilton go that way ie. Glen/ Dunkeld, Penshurst, Hawkesdale / MacArthur, while the North East sides go to a rejigged league taking in the Ararat clubs and some of the former Western Plains league clubs that joined Central Highlands (which has 17 clubs)

This would leave Woorndoo Mortlake as an orphan on the edge of three leagues, the Hamilton league, the Ararat / Ballarat offshoot and the Warrnambool and District league.

If that happened and it would be a big If

Woorndoo might have a crack at going into Warrnambool but they would need the Caramut kids to have juniors. If they pooled resources and played out of Mortlake and created a merged club out of the three it might be a goer. But lots of things would have to go right and in some respects he’ll would have to freeze over first.

But as it stands and I don’t like saying Caramut have no future at all.

 

[western royboy]

Kane Cornes suiting up for the Moyston Willaura Pumas on the weekend (ironically they wear sort of Port Power jumpers) v Hawkesdale MacArthur at Willaura. MW defeated Caramut by 10 goals on the weekend in the battle between 11th & 12th.

 

[MortlockWatcher]

Have the finals venues been announced yet?