'That was the only motivation': call made on prospect of competition change

Coleambally has voted on where its future lies for the 2027 season after 15 years in the Farrer League. Pictures by Bernard Humphreys

A big change in the Riverina football landscape is one step closer to reality.

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Coleambally has confirmed its desire to join the Picola and District Football and Netball League for the 2027 season.

With 85 votes cast, Blues president Danny Graham said a clear majority are in favour of the move.

Now they are planning the next stage.

The Picola League runs four football competitions (seniors, reserves, under 17s, and under 14s) and seven netball competitions (A grade, B grade, C grade, C reserve, under 17s, under 15s, and under 13s).

With their seniors currently playing in the Farrer League on Saturdays and their juniors in the South West Juniors competition on Sundays, Graham said the community football model of same-day juniors and seniors was simply too good an opportunity to not explore.

"It's community football with our juniors and seniors together," Graham said.

"That was the only motivation.

"We're not disgruntled or anything like that but saw an opportunity to have all our football and netball on the same day at the same venue and it's too good resist."

Graham is confident the move will give juniors an opportunity to see a pathway through to senior football.

Lessening the travelling load is another of the advantages.

"I still think there will be strength in the league, the salary cap is higher out there, it's probably enforced better too," Graham said.

"Affiliation costs are slightly less and we've got a bit less travel if we go that way."

As the Picola League is not affiliated with AFL Victoria or AFL NSW/ACT, players in the competition do not have access to official AFL-run junior pathway programs or AFL-backed administrative support.

However it is not a concern preventing the desire to move ahead with the hope to join another competition.

"With other clubs showing interest in joining the Picola I don't think it's a big issue," Graham said.

"They are looking to expand by a couple of clubs, not just us.

"There was no blowback on that or anything.

"Everything was pretty well supported and people could see the opportunities."

The Picola League would become the sixth competition Coleambally has played in since its formation in 1965.

After playing their first seven seasons in the Barellan League, they spent the most time in the Coreen League, besides four seasons in the Murray League from 1980 to 1983, before it was disbanded after the 2007 season.

Three seasons in the Hume League followed before joining the Farrer League in 2011.

Travel has always been a factor for the club.

"Whatever competition we're in we're everyone's furthest trip," Graham said.

"It's just that isolation piece that we've got but we're used to the travel side of it."

The Blues have made one senior grand final appearance in the Farrer League, when beaten by East Wagga-Kooringal in the 2016 grand final.

Alex Pound was named best in Coleambally's under 18.5s grand final win this year. Picture by Bernard Humphreys

They made their first finals appearance in six years last season but could only produce one win in the 2026 campaign.

The Blues had already lost best and fairest winner Blake Argus for 2027 but are hopeful switching competitions would not impact their list significantly.

"We're working on retaining all our current players," Graham said.

"There will be a little bit of turnover but some had reached the end of their tenure and had done four or five years of travelling for us.

"There's a little bit of natural attrition that way but we're trying to build a roster and recruit a few more and build on our under 18s coming through to be competitive."

The next step for Coleambally is to present its vision to the Picola clubs later in October before its board makes a decision.

While they have received no indications their admission will not be supported, they aren't closing the door on remaining with the status quo if the application is unsuccessful.

"We'll present our best case and see where it goes but if we're unsuccessful we're quite open to continue in the Farrer and the South West," Graham said.

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