MDFL 2026

[western royboy]

Good to see Caramut active. When was the last time they played finals? Was it back under Mifsud?

No they won flags after that under Shorty Aitken but you would be getting close to 15 years

 

[Living Morganism]

Hawkesdale have picked up quite a few and should improve. Not sure about Rovers they lost a couple of their top end players to Skipton and I have zero knowledge of the ability of their recruits.

Penshurst might lose a few, Woorndoo and Caramut have been very active.

Concerns at Bolac and Glen Dunkeld, the latter which has endured a horror off season.

Regardless I think they’re all playing for 2nd but you never know.

Is there much divide after GD have decided to play all their games at dunkeld going forward?

 

[Mangy Carl]

Is there much divide after GD have decided to play all their games at dunkeld going forward?

Really? But Dunkeld is their sheep-paddock oval isn't it? Glenthompson is the much better oval, or have i got the 2 mixed up?

 

[western royboy]

Is there much divide after GD have decided to play all their games at dunkeld going forward?

Yes but only one of the issues

 

[western royboy]

Really? But Dunkeld is their sheep-paddock oval isn't it? Glenthompson is the much better oval, or have i got the 2 mixed up?

Both good ovals virtually replicas in terms of facilities - MDFL GF was played at Glen in 2022

 

[Mangy Carl]

Both good ovals virtually replicas in terms of facilities - MDFL GF was played at Glen in 2022

Ah, now I know which is which. Always preferred Glen over Dunkeld then.
Only played on Dunkeld early in the season and its always been a sparse, rock hard sheep paddock, while Glenthompson always had a much nicer surface.

 

[Mangy Carl]

Yes but only one of the issues

What other issues is the team having?

 

[western royboy]

What other issues is the team having?

A young netballer was killed in tragic circumstances at the end of the season at a club progressive dinner event

 

[western royboy]

Woorndoo coach has resigned due to relocation for work reasons…not ideal

 

[Mangy Carl]

Any news on Lismore? Ins and Outs... Many leave after winning he flag?

Who are we predicting for the top 5?
Biggest improver?
Biggest Slider?

Lismore favourites again?
Tatyoon the closest threat?
Penshurst to bounce back?
Worndoo or Hawkesdale to push into the 5?
Ararat there abouts?

 

[western royboy]

Any news on Lismore? Ins and Outs... Many leave after winning he flag?

Who are we predicting for the top 5?
Biggest improver?
Biggest Slider?

Lismore favourites again?
Tatyoon the closest threat?
Penshurst to bounce back?
Worndoo or Hawkesdale to push into the 5?
Ararat there abouts?

You’re pretty close to the mark Lismore Derri have only added to their list - they appear a long, long way in front of the rest. Hawkesdale to replace Glen in the finals and everything else stays the same. Taty to finish 2nd

 

[GuruJosh]

Who has some recruiting news across the league?

I've seen SMW announce some promising INS - Key FWD, BACK, Big ruckman and some mids. Mostly out of Ballarat.
Dont know of their quality, but The Rovers made some big strides in the second half of 25 so could be one to watch.

Taty welcoming back Arthur Armstrong.

GW with plenty or new player announcements. Again, dont know of their quality. GW coming from a fair way back.

Ararat - 4-5 out of their seniors from last year (Robertson, Cameron, Hustler etc) and 5 or 6 ins, with a couple of injured players returning..

I see a few recommits on the demons fb website.

 

[Tandy]

Tipping H/M for the flag.

 

[Tandy]

I’m sure nobody has said that for about 10 years

 

[GuruJosh]

Any updates in the mdfl space?

 

[Mangy Carl]

Tom Mitchell playing for Ararat Rd 3 Vs Tatyoon..

 

[Munners]

I was quite impressed with Caramut on the weekend, got a couple of good recruits. The Rams beat them which was probably expected going off last years results.

 

[western royboy]

I was quite impressed with Caramut on the weekend, got a couple of good recruits. The Rams beat them which was probably expected going off last years results.

To be fair, it wasn’t the highest of standards even if it was March.

Without wanting to be too negative, the bottom two clubs that played were poor. South Rovers two best were the two incoming coaches by a long way. The rest all played last year and you can see where they finished. Glen Dunkeld have their own problems and beat Caramut in the GF but I could not see either of them getting into the finals ahead of of;

Lismore Derrinallum

Hawkesdale Macarthur
Ararat Eagles
Tatyoon
Penshurst

Those two and Woorndoo are in the next group then

Gt Western
Rovers
Wickliffe Lake Bolac
Moyston Willaura

I fear for the sustainability of some clubs and the survival of the league…the end when it comes will come very quickly. Talking to several guys in the Wimmera and they are seeing the same things. Thinking AFL Vic will do anything to help is folly.

Paddy Anderson is my early Lewis Medal tip.

 

[GuruJosh]

To be fair, it wasn’t the highest of standards even if it was March.

Without wanting to be too negative, the bottom two clubs that played were poor. South Rovers two best were the two incoming coaches by a long way. The rest all played last year and you can see where they finished. Glen Dunkeld have their own problems and beat Caramut in the GF but I could not see either of them getting into the finals ahead of of;

Lismore Derrinallum

Hawkesdale Macarthur
Ararat Eagles
Tatyoon
Penshurst

Those two and Woorndoo are in the next group then

Gt Western
Rovers
Wickliffe Lake Bolac
Moyston Willaura

I fear for the sustainability of some clubs and the survival of the league…the end when it comes will come very quickly. Talking to several guys in the Wimmera and they are seeing the same things. Thinking AFL Vic will do anything to help is folly.

Paddy Anderson is my early Lewis Medal tip.

Thanks Royboy for the updates. I have the same concerns as you as numbers dwindle and town members pursue different interests outside of footy.

 

[Tandy]

Have never actually contemplated the league ever folding. Out of interest does anyone want to take a stab at where all clubs would go if it ever did? Including ones that may fold

 

[western royboy]

Have never actually contemplated the league ever folding. Out of interest does anyone want to take a stab at where all clubs would go if it ever did? Including ones that may fold

Very Simple.

Lismore Derrinallum
Ararat Eagles
Tatyoon

Would go to most likely the Central Highlands or maybe Maryborough Castlemaine. Central Highlands spits into two leagues of 10

Wickliffe Lake Bolac - most likely fold

SMW Rovers - maybe merge with Skipton or fold

Glen Dunkeld - South West

Penshurst
Hawkesdale Macarthur

Could go to South West but more likely Warrnambool & District

Woorndoo & Caramut, merge and go into Mortlake and play in the Warrnambool & District or else fold

Great Western & Moyston Willaura - merge and go back into Horsham District or fold

For reference Skipton (reigning CHFL Premier) got beat by Learmonth on the weekend by 10 goals. Both teams had players who had played in the MDFL. Learmonth had 64 players at Training on the Thursday prior available for Seniors & Reserves, most MDFL sides struggled to field two sides.

Petrol insanity will only speed up the inevitible.

 

[GuruJosh]

Very Simple.

Lismore Derrinallum
Ararat Eagles
Tatyoon

Would go to most likely the Central Highlands or maybe Maryborough Castlemaine. Central Highlands spits into two leagues of 10

Wickliffe Lake Bolac - most likely fold

SMW Rovers - maybe merge with Skipton or fold

Glen Dunkeld - South West

Penshurst
Hawkesdale Macarthur

Could go to South West but more likely Warrnambool & District

Woorndoo & Caramut, merge and go into Mortlake and play in the Warrnambool & District or else fold

Great Western & Moyston Willaura - merge and go back into Horsham District or fold

For reference Skipton (reigning CHFL Premier) got beat by Learmonth on the weekend by 10 goals. Both teams had players who had played in the MDFL. Learmonth had 64 players at Training on the Thursday prior available for Seniors & Reserves, most MDFL sides struggled to field two sides.

Petrol insanity will only speed up the inevitible.

Very Simple.

Lismore Derrinallum
Ararat Eagles
Tatyoon

Would go to most likely the Central Highlands or maybe Maryborough Castlemaine. Central Highlands spits into two leagues of 10

Wickliffe Lake Bolac - most likely fold

SMW Rovers - maybe merge with Skipton or fold

Glen Dunkeld - South West

Penshurst
Hawkesdale Macarthur

Could go to South West but more likely Warrnambool & District

Woorndoo & Caramut, merge and go into Mortlake and play in the Warrnambool & District or else fold

Great Western & Moyston Willaura - merge and go back into Horsham District or fold

For reference Skipton (reigning CHFL Premier) got beat by Learmonth on the weekend by 10 goals. Both teams had players who had played in the MDFL. Learmonth had 64 players at Training on the Thursday prior available for Seniors & Reserves, most MDFL sides struggled to field two sides.

Petrol insanity will only speed up the inevitible.

Ah like the old western plains days! Demons would be back playing clubs from those days if they went chfl.

 

[western royboy]

Ah like the old western plains days! Demons would be back playing clubs from those days if they went chfl.

Of all my "predictions" this one is the most certain, they acknowledge it would be a step up.

 

[GuruJosh]

Of all my "predictions" this one is the most certain, they acknowledge it would be a step up.

Now that is verrrry interesting. Probably a jumper change too there’s bound to be a demons outta all those chfl clubs.

 

[western royboy]

Now that is verrrry interesting. Probably a jumper change too there’s bound to be a demons outta all those chfl clubs.

Bungaree are the Demons