A pain that looks likely to be felt by Smythesdale.

The Bulldogs look certain to go into recess after a difficult stint in the Central Highlands Football League and bids to join the Maryborough Castlemaine District and Mininera District Football League rejected in recent months.

Great Western went into recess in 2010, sitting out the 2011 season, and is continuing to build seven years on.

President Tracey McCartney, who was on the committee in 2011, said she felt a great deal of sympathy for Smythesdale, but offered some advice to the flailing club.

“It’s absolutely devastating to lose your footy club,” McCartney said.

“We had to regroup and get things going again and come back straight away and I think that’s the most important thing for Smythesdale too, to not let it go too long or they’ll just never come back.

“We weren’t so much (a lack of) players, it was more so the committee.

“It was hard. Obviously they (players) go to other clubs and get interested there.

“But we were pretty fortunate to get most of the players to come back.”

McCartney said she felt for Smythesdale.

The difficult situation and the heartache that comes with it still fresh in the memory.

She said her club did not think twice about voting for Smythesdale to be included into the Mininera District Football League, the junior program being a major appeal, but the vote fell short of the required 75% from MDFL clubs.

“We unanimously voted them in. We’re really strong on juniors at our club...Smythesdale were bringing a full complement of juniors with them and that’s where we think Mininera is really lacking.

“So we felt if they were bringing full teams of juniors that would be good for us and good for the league. 

“It’s a bit disappointing, I feel so sorry for them.”

McCartney said her club was in a far stronger position now and while it still has its troubles from time to time, like many football/netball clubs, they have a much stronger foundation now than when they were in a similar position to Smythesdale.

“We’re getting there. It is hard.

“It’s just great that we’ve got all the teams, we’ve got a full complement of juniors.

“Smythesdale is a bit like Great Western, we’re a small town, a small community, people have a bit more pride in their club.”

After a couple years without a senior team in the Central Highlands Football League, Smythesdale made a bid to join the Maryborough Castlemaine Football Netball League – which was denied. 

It was then told rejoining the Central Highlands Football League was not an option, which led the club to MDFL, which also saw not enough club support for the Bulldogs to join after a league vote, and ultimately to their current situation.

The Smythesdale committee remains dedicated to doing everything within its power to find the club a league and keep it alive for the long-term future.