Sport
4 July, 2024
CHFL potential option for Pies
The choices for Maryborough FNC’s destination for the 2025 season and beyond has seen them make applications to join the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League (MCDFNL) and the Central Highlands Football League (CHFL). While the...
The choices for Maryborough FNC’s destination for the 2025 season and beyond has seen them make applications to join the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League (MCDFNL) and the Central Highlands Football League (CHFL).
While the Magpies’ preference at this stage is clearly the MCDFNL, the CHFL publicly revealed this week to other mastheads that an approach has also been made to the league.
Earlier in the week, the club released an update to members and supporters which surrounded their application to the MCDFNL for the 2025 season.
However, should a move to that league fall through, a move to the CHFL, which appears to be the backup option for the Magpies, would mean Maryborough becomes the 18th club in the competition if they are voted in by the clubs.
Played predominantly in the area between Maryborough and Ballarat, the CHFL was formed in 1979 after a merger between the Clunes Football League and the Bacchus Marsh-Ballarat District Football League.
The league is one of the most heavily populated football netball leagues in the country, with the league potentially matching the AFL’s total of 18 clubs in the competition should the Magpies be accepted.
Gordon are currently the league powerhouse, having won the last two football premierships in the competition, while Learmonth are the reigning netball premiers.
The Magpies are currently slated to meet with the MCDFNL over the next week as they continued to assess their best options for the 2025 season, with the club transfer window opening on August 1.
If their application to join the MCDFNL or CHFL is successful, the Bendigo Football Netball League (BFNL) will be reduced to eight teams next season, which would end a 32-year run for the Magpies in the league after moving from the Ballarat Football League in 1991.
The club will not be playing this week, with a league-wide bye this week as the BFNL takes on the Victorian Amateur Football Association, but will return on July 13 when the club hosts Gisborne at Barkers Oval Princes Park.
The Magpies will complete the football season with assistance from other BFNL clubs, with the club set to get special dispensation to fill their senior team with opposition players if required.