The Picola league has already had talks with five Golden Rivers clubs — Moulamein, Hay, Marcona, Wandella and Murrabit – about a possible move to its competition if their league folds.
The Golden Rivers League’s future at the moment is in doubt and hinging on a bid by one of its clubs, Ultima, to join the Central Murray League next season.
If this happens, the Golden Rivers League would have only five clubs.
The Golden Rivers League and Central Murray League are administered by the same body which has expressed a desire that the Golden Rivers League clubs be absorbed by Central Murray League if Ultima is successful in its bid to join the league.
Ultima announced on Wednesday, July 9 that its application had been endorsed by the Central Rivers board, and the matter is now before the AFL Victoria Regional Council.
If the council sign off, the move will be official and Ultima will join Central Murray for the 2026 season.
Picola District league general manager Shane Railton confirmed his league had had talks with the five Golden Rivers clubs about a possible shift to the PDFNL, but under the condition it was run as a separate league.
He said there was no intention for the five Golden Rivers League clubs to merge with some current Picola District league clubs to form another competition (or second division).
Leaving AFL Victoria administration would allow the five remaining Golden Rivers clubs to avoid merging with Central Murray.
Geographically, present Picola District league clubs Deniliquin Rovers, Mathoura and Blighty look a good fit for an extended Picola league competition, but Railton said these clubs would not be pressured to consider such a move.
‘‘If they want to, they could, but it’s entirely up to them,’’ Railton said.
The Picola league once had two divisions, but returned to a one division league in 2018.
The five Golden Rivers clubs involved are expected to make decisions on their futures shortly once Ultima’s future is decided.
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