Tocumwal will return to the Murray Football League in 2023 after the league’s member clubs voted to accept Tocumwal’s application to shift across from the Picola District Football League.
All 12 clubs in the Murray league met at a special general meeting at Nathalia on Monday night, with all clubs voting unanimously to welcome Tocumwal back into the league’s ranks.
Tocumwal’s intention to shift competitions came from its desire to be in a league affiliated with AFL Victoria, after the Picola District league decided it would enter the 2023 season unaffiliated from the governing body.
The decision comes after what has been a trying off-season between Tocumwal and the Picola District League.
The NSW-based outfit was provisionally suspended by the league from October until mid-February.
Following the outcome of last night’s meeting, Tocumwal rejoins the Murray League ranks after it departed in 2014.
Tocumwal was included in the PDL fixture for the upcoming season and the league’s operations manager Shane Railton revealed he was “bemused” by the club’s intentions to join the MFNL.
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.
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.
“It does create a bit of disruption when it comes to scheduling and will affect clubs across both leagues,” he said.
“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.”