Tallon Smith

The demise of Wangaratta-based Wolfpack RLFC may not be the only concern for the Goulburn Murray Premiership heading into the 2026 season with at least two of the competition’s other clubs facing potential player shortages.

The Wolfpack, which began its life in Benalla before relocating to Wangaratta and Eldorado and taking out the 2023 premiership in the process, became the latest country Victorian side to succumb to the challenges facing the game in the region in late November following a tough 2025.

The club announced they would enter recess for the upcoming season in a post to the club’s Facebook page.

“It’s a tough one to put into words, it’s not the end, it’s just see you on the flip side,” the post read.

“The Pack is built from the ground up with the most resilient, genuine & giving people our league will ever see. 

“But after much dedication, determination and then discussion following a 2025 season that took us through the wringer, the tough decision has been made to let The Pack rest, recoup & regather for the 2026 season and look at making a strong return the following year. 

“We genuinely thank our players, supporters, members, volunteers & the wider league community and our loyal sponsors for the continued support and reassurance throughout this year.”

However, they are far from the only club in the region facing challenges.

Perhaps most surprisingly, Grand Finalists from the past two seasons Tumbarumba Greens are also facing uncertainty heading into the new season.

Although he certainly hasn’t given up on fielding a team this year and remains extremely optimistic about the club’s participation in the Tumut Pub 9s, Greens President Ray Lynch said their involvement in the Goulburn Murray competition hangs in the balance.

“We’re 50-50 at the moment,” he said.

Though their Pub 9s team looks set to take the field this year, meaning the town is all but guaranteed some footy, any absence from the men’s competition would be the fourth time the 92-year old club has entered recess in the last decade.

Similarly, the competition’s only surviving foundation club from 1991, the Corowa Cougars, were also encountering difficulties over the off-season, though the re-appointment of Daniel Webb as coach has bolstered the club’s recruitment drive.

Player recruitment issues are both a cause and effect of the biggest challenge the competition has faced over its 35 years, club turnover.

The league has seen five clubs (Westside Brothers, Murray River Warriors, Wodonga Storm, Bonegilla Gorillas, and Wolfpack) fold or enter recess since its revival in 2014.

Prior to that, the competition saw another 12 clubs disband during its initial run from 1991 to 2008.

Despite these challenges however, there are some strong positives for the game in the region, with one club returning to the premiership and several others building strongly.

The Albury Mud Dogs have confirmed they will return to the men’s competition this year following a season where the club fielded a women’s team only in 2025.

Women’s coach Bill Channells-Bentley said that the club, which recently changed its name from the CSU Mud Dogs, has “been working pretty hard over the off-season” to field strong sides in both competitions this year, but instability in the competition’s make-up year-to-year remains an issue.

“We never completely know all the teams that are going to be present in that competition year-to-year, but at this stage it is what it is,” he said.

Meanwhile, after a period of uncertainty in terms of its coaching roles, the Wodonga Wombats club have locked in their men’s and women’s mentors for 2026 and are also committed to fielding teams.

In addition to this, defending premiers Shepparton Eagles, established club Wangaratta Knights and relative newcomers Border Bears all indicated to Battlers that they intend to field both men’s and women’s teams this year.

That means that up to seven clubs could take to the field in 2026, which in historical context would be a strong result for the league.

With over three months before the competition begins in its traditional late April window, just how many do will be a major source of interest in the interim.