Sport
14 August, 2026
The MCDFNL has set date to decide on Maryborough Magpies application
The fate of the Maryborough Football Netball Club’s application to join the MCDFNL will officially be decided at a special general meeting on Wednesday, August 26.
Unlike last year’s unsuccessful application, the Magpies only need 66 percent of the 13 representatives from each MCDFNL club to accept one of country Victoria’s most historic clubs into the league for the 2027 season.
Following a rules change in April that removed the league’s seven board members’ right to vote, the MCDFNL held a special general meeting on Wednesday, July 29, to legally implement an “extraordinary resolution to the rules” lowering the majority threshold for any club applying to join the MCDFNL to 66 percent.
The Magpies are optimistic that the upcoming vote will provide a long-awaited end to their turbulent search for a new home.
While Maryborough’s junior football and netball programs have remained active in the Bendigo Junior Football League and the Maryborough Netball Association, the future of the 154-year-old club has remained in limbo after entering into recess at the conclusion of the 2024 season following years of uncompetitiveness in the Bendigo Football Netball League (BFNL).
The difficult decision to enter a recess period for the first time since the Second World War came as a last resort after the Magpies expressed interest in joining the MCDFNL and the Central Highlands Football League for 2025 or possibly merging with clubs in the district, in particular, the Maryborough Giants.
While the temporary hiatus was originally envisioned to “allow (Maryborough) to focus on rebuilding its strength, both on and off the field, with a view to returning to the BFNL in 2026”, the club believes the MCDFNL is the only sustainable, competitive pathway for the club’s future after lopsided results, excessive travel, and poor player retention hampered their viability in the BFNL.
After last year’s application to join the MCDFNL failed to secure the necessary votes from board members and club representatives, the Magpies explored other potential avenues, such as the Loddon Valley and North Central Football Netball Leagues.
However, Maryborough believes none of those options provide the club with a realistic or sustainable future.
After withdrawing their third application to join the league and remaining in recess for 2026, the Magpies announced their current application to join the MCDFNL as an affiliate member for 2027 on May 31.
As part of the announcement, Maryborough stated seven reasons behind their application. They included creating a stronger future for the club, keeping their 77 junior footballers and 32 junior netballers involved, reconnecting former players and volunteers, providing health benefits for the community and supporting Princes Park.