- After months of uncertainty, the players will finally take the field in 2026
An undefeated women’s football team at the centre of one of community sport’s most explosive governance battles has finally secured a league home – as a senior official dramatically stepped down.
The club formerly known as Kyneton Women’s Football Club, now rebranded as the Wedge-Tailed Eagles, will compete in 2026 after months of uncertainty that left players fearing their season would collapse entirely.
Just weeks ago, the team faced being barred from all sanctioned competition after AFL Victoria upheld a closed-door appeal that blocked their entry despite unanimous acceptance elsewhere.
‘We were forced to leave our old club because it was unsafe and unsupportive,’ player Charlie Bracey said.
‘Now, after doing everything right, we’re being shut out – and the clock is ticking.’
The Eagles had previously walked away from their former club citing years of alleged inequitable treatment, including claims of filthy changerooms, lack of support and marginalisation during key moments of their season.
The Wedge-Tailed Eagles were previously blocked despite unanimous acceptance from another regional women’s league
Players said they were forced to leave their former club due to unsafe and unsupportive conditions
The club went undefeated in 2025 and claimed a premiership during a hybrid partnership season
President Natalie Korinfsky earlier said: ‘All we want to do is play football and be treated with respect, and if you don’t have those fundamentals, it’s impossible to stay in those environments.’
Despite going undefeated and winning a premiership during a hybrid 2025 campaign, the team’s independent pathway was halted after a successful appeal from the Riddell District Football Netball League (RDFNL).
Another player, Rebecca Evans, said the impasse defied logic.
‘There is a league ready to take us and a team ready to play,’ she said.
‘The only thing stopping us is a single decision.’
But in a dramatic twist this week, AFL Victoria confirmed the club, under its new name, had been accepted into the Central Victoria Football League after key conditions were addressed.
The breakthrough came as RDFNL vice-president Andrew Power resigned following social media comments understood to have been reported to the AFL integrity unit.
In a statement, the league said: ‘The RDFNL does not condone or support the behaviour reflected in those comments and apologises for any distress caused to members of our community.’
‘The RDFNL remains firmly committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment for all men and women who participate in football and netball.’
The saga has sparked fierce debate about governance, appeals processes and who ultimately controls women’s football pathways at community level.
Community advocate John White claimed the case exposed broader flaws, warning leagues across Victoria would now scrutinise how rules are applied.
‘Is it now a case of engagement with lawyers, media and state politicians to overturn AFL Victoria?’ he said.
‘As it stands, AFL Vic have lost face and can kiss goodbye their rules.’
