In the wake of Ararat Eagles' astronomical loss at the weekend, AFL Goldfields Regional General Manager Rod Ward has confirmed changes to the structure of the Mininera & District Football League are on the way.
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While not directly tied into the Eagles' 509-point loss at the hands of Great Western, Ward who is the acting regional general manager of AFL western district said the league's commission has approved a review of the leagues structure.
"At AFL Western District's meeting last week the commission signed off on a review of the structure of the Mininera league which will take place in 2020 with changes taking place in 2021," he said.
This could open the door for Smythedsale Football Netball Club to potentially return to competition after its bid to join the Mininera league was shot down by opposing clubs in December 2018.
The potential league restructure could allow Smythesdale a year to rebuild itself and put together a team for the 2021 season.
As for Ararat, Ward said AFL Western District will always support teams looking to play in its senior competitions and said AFL Western District would provide assistance to the club to help them with stability off the field.
"The greatest assistance you can give a club like the Ararat Eagles is assistance to strengthen their off field position," he said.
"We would basically sit down with a club's committee and members and conduct an audit of the entire club and identify where assistance may be needed."
In what was an unfortunate weekend for Ward, he also disscussed the circumstances behind Campbells Creek forfeiting its games against Talbot in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League.
"In my 18 years in football that is probably only the second time I've seen a team forfeit it's senior/reserves game. It is a cause of major concern.
"We've extensive discussions with Campbells Creek over many years about its sustainability... this should be a bit of a wake up call for the people on the committee at how vulnerable the club is. If (Campbells Creek) is going to continue as a single club and its own entity then its members really need to rally behind them."
Similarly to Ararat, Cambells Creek have lost 9 of its 11 games by over 200 points and is yet to win a game in 2019.
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