Could the move of Smythesdale start a domino effect that sees more departures from the Central Highlands Football League?
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The Bulldogs are attempting to leave the competition for the Maryborough Castlemaine District league, and while their fate is not yet decided, a breakaway might be the start of something bigger.
We are not even a year on from the finalisation of the AFL Goldfields senior competition review, which threatened to produce major structural change, but never delivered.
A split of the Central Highlands competition was touted, but was strongly opposed by that league’s board.
Given that opposition, perhaps there is more merit in dividing the Maryborough Castlemaine District league to aid the quest of achieving club sustainability and offering battling sides a better prospect for success.
Much of the commentary regarding the need for structural change within the Central Highlands has come following the arrival of the Bulldogs, Skipton, Rokewood-Corindhap and Carngham-Linton in 2011. And you’ll often hear around the grounds that the CHFL would be much better if those clubs – which have struggled to be competitive in senior football – found a new home.
So what if that home was in the Maryborough Castlemaine District league, which would swell to 18 clubs and could be split geographically to avoid extensive travel.
Rokewood-Corindhap president Addy Walton said the club had engaged somebody to outline a strategic plan, which could include a recommendation to seek home in a different competition.
“Currrently there’s no other opportunities for us to go to, but if anything was to pop up in the next few years, I think it’s important for the club to start thinking about it now so that we knew which way we wanted to go should options arise,” he said.
Carngham-Linton president Sam Richardson had no interest in pursuing other league avenues for his club.
It is no secret the Saints were in favour of a split during last year’s review, but once that did not happen, it was a matter of focusing on developing the club in its current environment.
Richardson cited its junior program as the main cause for excitement, something that other leagues could not sufficiently nurture.
“The Maryborough Castlemaine thing doesn’t interest us…and the Mininera league is an absolute no-go,” Richardson said.
“We were very upfront about what we thought about it last year, if AFL Victoria had have made the changes – that was our preferred option.
“But once that didn’t happen...we sat down and said we’ll just concentrate on our own backyard and do what we can to try and be as competitive as we can.”
Skipton is not entertaining any sort of move, according to president Andrew Bodman.
“We’re very happy to stay where we are and we have no intention to leave,” he said.