A HANDFUL of country football leagues have welcomed new clubs into the fold for next season.
The Ovens and King Football League, in Victoria's North East, has swelled to a 14-team competition after adding four clubs from the collapsed Benalla and District league.
Swanpool, Tatong, Goorambat and the Bonnie Doon Bulldogs have all been accepted by the Ovens and King board.
Bonnie Doon initially applied to move to the Yarra Valley Mountain District league, but the application was rejected.
The Bulldogs then lodged an appeal with the Victorian Country Football League board, but the appeal was recently dismissed.
VCFL chief executive officer Glenn Scott said travel was a major factor in the board's decision.
"There were serious concerns that two or three of the southern-based clubs in the Yarra Valley league might not continue in that competition if they had to go to Yea, Thornton-Eildon and Alexandra as well as Bonnie Doon," Mr Scott said.
Bonnie Doon has since been accepted by the Ovens and King competition.
Longwood Football Club, also part of the defunct Benalla and District league, will compete in the Kyabram District league next season.
Longwood's application was rejected by the league, but the club's appeal to the VCFL was upheld.
Mr Scott said he was confident Longwood would be competitive.
"We think they will adapt to the task, but it won't be easy," he said.
In central Victoria, Leitchville-Gunbower has become the Heathcote District league's ninth club, after receiving the green light to switch competitions from its former home, the Central Murray league.
Meanwhile, Silvan Football Club will find out on Friday if its bid to cross from the Yarra Valley league to the metropolitan Eastern Football League is successful.
Silvan has been accepted by the Eastern Football League but its application for transfer was rejected by its current league.
Mr Scott said the matter would be decided by AFL Victoria.
"All parties have met with AFL Victoria and we are expecting a decision on Friday," he said.
