Picola District Football Netball League found itself blindsided by the news member club Tocumwal is seeking to join the neighbouring Murray Football Netball League for season 2023.
Tocumwal officially announced its intention to join Murray league on Friday, with a special general meeting to be held on Monday night between the league’s clubs to vote on the Bloods’ application.
For the PDFNL, this news came as a major shock.
Picola District league lifted the club’s provisional suspension eight days earlier and had been working closely with its committee and members in regards to forging ahead into season 2023.
Now in a state of limbo as the Murray league decides Tocumwal’s fate, Picola league operations manager Shane Railton said he had no indication of the club’s intention to leave the competition on the eve of the season.
“For us we have had no formal information from Tocumwal (about leaving the league), our conversations with Tocumwal have been around the suspension which was lifted the Thursday prior,” Railton said.
“We had a chat about some things we had to work through and that was all finalised, Tocumwal signed off on anything we required and both parties were happy.
“Tocumwal indicated to us that they were keen to progress forward and put it all to bed, preparations were well on the way for them to begin their season with us.
“So we’re a bit bemused by how quickly this has all happened.”
With the beginning of the Murray and Picola District seasons five weeks away, the result of Monday’s meeting is set to have major implications on both leagues when it comes to scheduling.
Railton explained how his league would approach having to change its fixture and the unrest this move may cause throughout football circles.
“We’re unsure what our position would be if Tocumwal were to not be accepted into the Murray league, but our assumption is they don’t want to be in our competition any longer and we’ll work off that premise,” he said.
“It does create a bit of disruption when it comes to scheduling and will affect clubs across both leagues.
“There is a bit we would have to work through when it comes to restructuring the draw, whether we just take Tocumwal out and the club that plays them has the bye or the side that is scheduled for the bye then plays the team slated to play Tocumwal.
“There are a lot of different scenarios we will need to work through.”
As reported on Friday, Tocumwal’s bid to join the MFL stemmed from its desire to be in a league that is affiliated with AFL Victoria.
The Bloods, who have competed in the PDFNL for the past nine seasons, were provisionally suspended by the league during the height of its affiliation dispute with AFL Victoria in October.
Ultimately the league opted against remaining with its governing body and did not sign the proposed agreement prior to the November 2022 deadline, having it become an unaffiliated association for the upcoming season.
Releasing a joint statement with Tocumwal Football Netball Club on Friday afternoon, MFL general manager Dale Norman said the request was now under review.
“Murray FNL will conduct a special general meeting as early as Monday, February 27 to consider the request,” Norman said.
“The reason outlined by the Tocumwal FNC was a desire to remain affiliated with AFL Victoria and the benefits that come with affiliation.
“The Tocumwal FNC is excited of the prospect of rejoining the Murray FNL after a nine-year absence and to once again embrace the challenge of playing in a premier league.”