Echuca weighs in on GVL and Bendigo league idea

By Gus Underwood

Jun 27, 2024

Echuca to rejoin the Bendigo League in a merger with the GVL? The club has given its thoughts on the suggestion made by a Bendigo League coach. Photo: Aidan Briggs Photo by Aidan Briggs

Although it is only a suggestion, two Goulburn Valley League club presidents have not dismissed the possibility of some open discussions on a merger of some GVL and Bendigo League clubs.

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Kyabram president John Guinan said his club was happy where it was at the moment but that the bigger picture options needed to be explored and assessed.

‘‘It is not going to hurt to talk about it and to look at options,’’ Guinan said.

Echuca president Justin Hatfield said his club had no official approaches regarding the possible formation of a new competition involving GVL and Bendigo League clubs.

‘‘They (Bendigo League) are obviously in a bit of strife at the moment and something obviously needs to be sorted out,’’ Hatfield said.

Hatfield said given what was happening, there should be open discussions for the best possible outcome for the game in general, but that it was a very complex issue.

‘‘Netballers and age groups have to be considered as well and if anything is to be done by AFL Victoria it would be vital to have local input and not a dictatorial approach.

‘‘It just needs to have open and frank discussions on the best way forward, but there is no silver bullet.’’

Coach of Bendigo League club Eaglehawk Travis Matheson recently raised the idea of clubs from Bendigo and the GVL forming a central Victorian competition and also a second-tier competition.

By Gus Underwood

Sports reporter