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THE Southern Mallee Giants have seen it all before.
The Giants played in the former Mallee league and were once two separate teams – Beulah and Hopetoun.
But two seasons ago, that league eventually folded.
It is a decision the club’s president Stephen Hallam said had done both communities the world of good.
Hallam, previously a member of Hopetoun, said amalgamation was a long time coming – and it came down to the clubs being proactive.
“(Hopetoun) had been speaking with Beulah for almost 10 years. We talked about … if one of us was on our graves, could we amalgamate?” he said.
The Mallee league dropped to five teams in 2015 when Jeparit-Rainbow moved into the Horsham District league. The Giants followed the following season.
Ouyen United and Walpeup-Underbool have since merged and joined the Sunraysia league while Sea Lake-Nandaly Tigers joined the North Central league and Woomelang-Lascelles folded after the dispersing of the Mallee league.
“We felt there was no future in the league. We couldn’t see the commissioners pushing for more teams so we looked forward,” Hallam said.
“On the recruiting side, attracting players to a five-team league is hard and we couldn’t get them to come back out. They just weren’t interested.”
It’s been a success story for the ages.
The Giants have prospered in the Horsham District league – their senior team remains undefeated since joining the league – and Hallam is thankful to everyone who has been involved.
“It has worked fantastically,” Hallam said.
“To the league’s credit, they allowed it to happen.
“The whole league has been fantastic and I don’t think we have expressed it enough. The clubs have been welcoming to us and they are a big part of our story.”
Hallam said Monday’s future directions meeting was a positive move and he thanked the AFL Wimmera Mallee for taking the initiative in helping the clubs plan for the future.
“Everyone is starting to talk about two problems in footy – the numbers and voluntary fatigue. Clubs have to change with the lifestyle,” he said.
“Another problem is the red tape involved. We have a new thing thrown at us every year and once you start adding them up, it becomes a massive job. People start saying, ‘I don’t have time for that’.
“Clubs need to keep talking and be honest. We want to help each other. We can’t fix anything if you aren’t exposing the trouble.
“We need to be proactive.
“I’ve seen what it’s done to the Mallee.”