After nine months of review and consultation, the league has determined a divisional structure will be put in place for 2027 and beyond, with the current set-up set to be split in half.
The process began following Barooga’s admittance into the competition after departing the Murray Football League, creating an even 16-team competition this year.
In 2027, two eight-team sections, the North West Division and South East Division, will divide the current clubs that sprawl across northern Victoria and southern country NSW.
The league stated the move aims to provide greater opportunity for competitive community football and netball.
As of the end of round 15, 2026, the PDL has recorded 27 results with a margin above 100 points.
PDL president Brian Purtill said the decision also aims to support club and league sustainability in the future.
“Over the past nine months the board has carefully considered feedback from every member club and undertaken a comprehensive review of the competition,” Purtill said.
“We believe this new structure provides the best opportunity to strengthen the league for the future.
“The introduction of the North West and South East divisions is designed to bring together clubs with similar community characteristics and resources, and create an environment where every club has the greatest opportunity to be successful both on and off the field.”
The South East division comprises of the current top five teams - Katandra, Waaia, Barooga, Katamatite and Strathmerton - as well as ninth-placed Tungamah, 11th-placed Dookie United and 15th-placed Katunga.
Picola United is the only Victorian team allocated in the North West division, featuring alongside Berrigan, Blighty, Deniliquin Rovers, Jerilderie, Mathoura, Rennie and Tocumwal.
The PDL also reaffirmed its commitment to growth in the future should more clubs come knocking to join the non-affiliated competition.
The league will undertake a further review of the competition’s structure within two years, too, to “ensure it continues to meet the needs of clubs and communities”.
The re-introduction of divisions is the first since time the league will run a split competition since 2017.
Previously, Strathmerton featured alongside Picola United in the North West division, the pair playing off in the 2017 grand final, while Rennie was a part of the prior South East division, winning the flag in 2017 before the competitions merged.
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