THE Southern Mallee Giants are weighing up a potential move to the Wimmera Football League after spending two seasons in the Horsham District Football and Netball League.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Giants have until the end of this week to decide where they want to play football in 2018.
The Mail-Times reached out to club presidents from each league to see what they thought about the move.
What do Wimmera league clubs think?
WIMMERA league clubs have thrown their support behind Southern Mallee Giants potentially joining their league.
Some club presidents said that the timing was not ideal but still indicated that they support the move as it would further bolster the league’s strength and reputation.
Horsham Saints president Mick Morris said he would have liked the league to talk to clubs earlier than they had.
It will add a bit more pepper and spice to the league.
- Mick Morris
“We’ve had meetings with the league about transparency and this probably hasn’t been as transparent as it could have been,” he said.
“I think it will be good for the league though and we look forward to seeing how they will go at the next level up.
“It will add a bit more pepper and spice to the league.”
The same sentiment was echoed by Nhill president Brett Wheaton.
“It’s a shame that it’s happened so late,” he said.
“We were so organised that we’ve already sent out our memberships and social calendar as well as booking bands for events.
“I still think we are pretty positive about the possibility though because the league needs to remain strong so we want strong clubs in the competition.”
Horsham Demons chairperson Geoff Lord said his club would be pleased to welcome the Giants and would have no problem making any potential adjustments.
“We’re dynamic and flexible enough to respond to a change even at this point,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s all that much of a surprise because discussions have been going on about the leagues in general for 6-12 months.
“This was always one of those topics.”
We’re dynamic and flexible enough to respond to a change even at this point.
- Geoff Lord
Minyip-Murtoa president Scott Arnold said the change would simply mean playing a different team a couple of times a season.
“The Giants are in a very similar community and demographic to what we are in,” he said.
“We understand they’ve got some issues with junior numbers but we are prepared to work with them to help them out.
“We’ve been in that situation before where we’ve been light on juniors and we just need to continue to work together for the better of community sport.”
The most pressing concern for presidents was the number of juniors at the Giants with the club unlikely to field an under-17 side.
We’re concerned that it will be hard to encourage parents to go an hour and a half to know their kids aren’t going to get a proper game of football.
- Brett Wheaton
“From what we understand they have a handful of under-17s who will play a practice-match style of game,” Wheaton said.
“We’re concerned that it will be hard to encourage parents to go an hour and a half to know their kids aren’t going to get a proper game of football.”
Dimboola president Col Campbell said the club certainly had strong enough senior football and netball sides to compete in the Wimmera league.
“The only thing that concerns me is their lack of numbers in the juniors – without an under-17 program coming through they will struggle in years to come,” he said.
“We’ve always struggled with our numbers in juniors so we know how hard it is.
“I think as a league we can probably support them this year and then see how things go with the ideas they have floating around for their juniors.”
A ninth team in the Wimmera league would mean the removal of the two currently scheduled general byes.
Each team would likely have two byes throughout an 18 round season.
“I’ve never been big on the whole league having a bye at the same time,” Campbell said.
“It also gives clubs a great opportunity to see other teams and that sort of thing as well.”
Arnold said he expected it would lead to a more even league as it would remove the need for clubs to face two teams three times.
“Playing teams three times was never ideal,” he said. “Obviously they are a strong club with good support so I don’t see any issues.”
What do Horsham district league clubs think?
THERE are mixed reactions from Horsham District Football and Netball League clubs surrounding a potential Southern Mallee Giants move.
Many clubs agree a Giants move would be part of the ongoing changes country football has experienced over the past decade to ensure its survival.
Edenhope-Apsley president Carolyn Middleton said all clubs are trying to ensure their viability heading into the future.
“They are thinking about their club and the future of country football like we all are,” she said.
It would be sad to see them go – as club people they’re fantastic.
- Carolyn Middleton
“It’s what we all have to do – times are very difficult for committees and country football. It might sound like a shock to everyone else but it certainly isn’t for clubs in the league.
“It would be sad to see them go – as club people they’re fantastic. But they have to make their own decision and we are all in a review process.”
Noradjuha-Quantong president Tim Kelly agreed, saying there will likely be more changes over the next few years.
“We merged 20 years ago and it’s just the way country football is going,” he said.
“Country communities are getting smaller and smaller so there will be a lot more changes in the next 10 years for country football.”
Other clubs are concerned at the timing of the move so close to the start of both the district league and Wimmera league seasons.
Natimuk United president Adam Blake said: “There are certain points in favour of them playing in the Wimmera league from a country football point but I’m surprised because of the timing and because clubs have been in discussion about the draw.”
Harrow-Balmoral president Rosemary Langley said she would be disappointed should the Giants leave.
“I don’t think them leaving is a good thing,” she said.
“All competitions change in their structure but I’m a little bit disappointed with the way in which this has gone.”
AFL Wimmera-Mallee was set to announce recommendations for any changes to the sporting landscape mid-year, with changes to be implemented for the 2019 season.
“We’ve been through our interviews with the commission with really positive talks about the future,” Ms Langley said.
All competitions change in their structure but I’m a little bit disappointed with the way in which this has gone.
- Rosemary Langley
“There was a timeline with the 2019 season to be the one where changes would be implemented, and now all of a sudden things could change for this season. It’s all come to a head very quickly.”
Ms Langley said top teams often have a few successful years but ultimately things change.
“We’ve had years when we couldn’t beat Laharum and where we couldn’t beat Kalkee,” she said.
“It all goes around and comes around. It’s what keeps you going as a club, striving to beat the competition from the year before.
“What’s going to happen next year if the competition isn’t more even?”
The process
IF THE Southern Mallee Giants decide to change leagues they will need to make applications to leave the Horsham district league then subsequently join the Wimmera league.
Horsham District Football Netball League chairman Graeme King said a written application would need to be presented to the league.
“It’s a process that has to be ticked off,” he said. “Initially it would be a board decision for the district league.”
The club will have to simultaneously apply to join both the Wimmera Football League and the Wimmera Netball Association.