New Leagues for North-East Victoria?

[JOHNNY GASTEV]

After the folding of the Benalla league a number of O and K clubs haven't been rapt about the former BDFL clubs joining the comp, particularly in regard to distance for teams to travel, Bright and Boonie Doon are the ones that will struggle the most.

The Upper Murray league has struggled over the last few years to field 2nd and junior sides regularly. I have done 3 mock leagues that would lessen travel distance and help increase player participation across the 2'nd and 3rd grades. Clubs would sacrifice rivalries but in this day and age clubs are merging or going under so many ego's particularly from long time club officials clinging to the past.

The North Eastern League (10 teams)
*Bright
*Yackandandah
*Beechworth
*Chiltern
*Rutherglen
*North Wang
*Barnawartha
*Tarrawingee
*Whorouly
*Wahgunyah

The Albury/Wodonga League (10 teams)
*Mitta
*Wodonga Saints
*Tallangatta
*Corryong/Federal Merger
*Cudgewa/Walwa Merger
*Thurgoona
*Murray Magpies (Moving from the Hume league)
*Bullioh
*Kiewa-Sandy Creek
*Dederang-Mt.Beauty

The Wangaratta and District League (10 teams)
*Greta
*Bonnie Doon
*Tatong
*King Valley
*Glenrowan
*Goorambat
*Benalla All Blacks
*Milawa
*Swampool
*Moyhu

Tumbarumba would move to the Farrer league where they have a greater chance of recruiting players out of Wagga and keeping their juniors from going to higher standard comps.

Wahgunyah still have a couple of long trips but the bulk of the teams they play against now are in the TDFL and after playing against Coly and Jerilderie in the old Coreen league travel wouldn't be strange to them. Their other option would be to join the Hume league.

Overall though, these three new leagues would shorten most teams trips to opposition venues, while the mergers would provide greater playing numbers for senior and junior sides. The three comps could be run under one umbrella (eg. Football North-East). Any ones thoughts out there???

 

[jack in the box]

that is a fantastic idea. should put it towards the football victoria committe....makes alot of sense. would save alot of clubs and even communities aswel. being an ex corryong player and resident..that town loves its footy and it sad but it looks like there will be no upper murray football within 5-10 years... so im only guessing it will be the same for other leagues and towns....no harm in putting ure case forward...

 

[General Banter]

I cant see it happening but here goes

The North Eastern League (10 teams)
*Wodonga Saints
*Yackandandah
*Beechworth
*Chiltern
*Rutherglen
*North Wang
*Barnawartha
*Tarrawingee
*Whorouly
*Wahgunyah

The Albury/Wodonga League (10 teams)
*Mitta
*Bright
*Tallangatta
*Corryong/Federal Merger
*Cudgewa/Walwa Merger
*Thurgoona
*Murray Magpies
*Bullioh
*Kiewa-Sandy Creek
*Dederang-Mt.Beauty

The Wangaratta/Benella and District League (10 teams)
*Greta
*Bonnie Doon
*Tatong
*King Valley
*Glenrowan
*Goorambat
*Benalla All Blacks
*Milawa
*Swampool
*Moyhu

Although another due consideration would have to be given gurnsey colours and mascots. (eg. Wahgunyah and Whorouly are both Lions and with Barny in the same league Wahgunyah could not go back to tigers). Also Bright & Mitta are very similar (but Mitta with a darker blue). Beechworth could go back to their old bombers colours

But I really think the TDFL will be pretty set for a while

 

[The Toecutter]

Can't see i a Corryong-Federal merger happening, the two hate each other that much it would be more likely one would fold first. If they put ego aside its possible they could go with clubs from the stronger leagues. Look at the recent Brock-Burrum merger, both clubs hated each other, were forced to merge and within 4 yrs look set to become a force in the Hume league.

 

[JOHNNY GASTEV]

Looks like Johnno from the Border Mail has taken a bit of inspiration from old JG’s thread almost a decade ago

 

[skippy99]

Hi folks, it is looking like the Upper Murray league is on it's last legs. Most clubs can't field reserves or juniors anymore.

So chances are maybe two combined teams from UMFL will be transferring to Tallangatta League next season. This would make 14 clubs, which is too many. So the logical thing to limit the league to 10 teams, to avoid excessive travelling. Wahgunyah, Rutherglen, Chiltern and Barnawartha will need to transfer to a neighbouring league. The question is which league do they transfer to?

 

[The Toecutter]

Hi folks, it is looking like the Upper Murray league is on it's last legs. Most clubs can't field reserves or juniors anymore.

So chances are maybe two combined teams from UMFL will be transferring to Tallangatta League next season. This would make 14 clubs, which is too many. So the logical thing to limit the league to 10 teams, to avoid excessive travelling. Wahgunyah, Rutherglen, Chiltern and Barnawartha will need to transfer to a neighbouring league. The question is which league do they transfer to?

I would've thrown out the text book and had 3 new league's based on geography and still could've kept the old league banners.

The Indigo District Football League (9 teams)
*Bright
*Beechworth
*Chiltern
*Rutherglen
*Barnawartha
*Tarrawingee
*Whorouly
*Wahgunyah
*Yackandandah

Tallangatta League(9 teams)
*Mitta
*Wodonga/Bethanga Saints
*Tallangatta
*Upper Murray United
*Thurgoona
*Bullioh
*Kiewa-Sandy Creek
*Dederang-Mt.Beauty
*Murray Magpies

Ovens and King (9 teams)
*Greta
*Bonnie Doon
*King Valley
*Glenrowan
*Goorambat
*Benalla All Blacks
*Milawa
*Moyhu
*North Wang

Getting the Murray Magpies to cross over would balance all 3 leagues out.
Thoughts?

 

[bidge]

Interesting thoughts, If Thurgoona was to move into the Hume League, and an Upper Murray United team was to join it would still allow ten teams to participate.
The Upper Murray Team as i have said before would need to move their home games between the grounds. This would also allow Tumbarumba to play in an alternative league closer to Wagga.

 

[The Toecutter]

Interesting thoughts, If Thurgoona was to move into the Hume League, and an Upper Murray United team was to join it would still allow ten teams to participate.
The Upper Murray Team as i have said before would need to move their home games between the grounds. This would also allow Tumbarumba to play in an alternative league closer to Wagga.

Sorry but Tumba would have to move to the Farrar league or merge with another club from the Farrer the travel is just too far. I would drop the home grounds just to Corryong and Cudgy, maintaining 3 grounds would be too much. Maybe Walwa could be used as a training venue, the locations of the other 2 make sense for Tallangatta league clubs to travel to.

 

[JOHNNY GASTEV]

I would've thrown out the text book and had 3 new league's based on geography and still could've kept the old league banners.

The Indigo District Football League (9 teams)
*Bright
*Beechworth
*Chiltern
*Rutherglen
*Barnawartha
*Tarrawingee
*Whorouly
*Wahgunyah
*Yackandandah

Tallangatta League(9 teams)
*Mitta
*Wodonga/Bethanga Saints
*Tallangatta
*Upper Murray United
*Thurgoona
*Bullioh
*Kiewa-Sandy Creek
*Dederang-Mt.Beauty
*Murray Magpies

Ovens and King (9 teams)
*Greta
*Bonnie Doon
*King Valley
*Glenrowan
*Goorambat
*Benalla All Blacks
*Milawa
*Moyhu
*North Wang

Getting the Murray Magpies to cross over would balance all 3 leagues out.
Thoughts?

Wondering if this a chance due to the Covid era?