But Trimboli was looking closer to the competition's Shepparton base for positives, rather than bemoaning the men's senior competition dwindling down to six teams.

“While this will weaken the standard of the league, it will strengthen our ability to attract clubs to the competition,” Trimboli said.

“Selling the logistics of the travel to Griffith to outside clubs has made it very difficult to convince other teams in rural Victoria to join us.”

Trimboli conceded the three-month protest and appeal saga from last year's grand final played a role in Yoogali leaving.

“We can't ignore the effects of last year's grand final, because it has and always will remain a bitter point,” Trimboli said.

“But that's something the league has learnt from with bringing Eric Bott on board to overhaul our tribunal system.”

Playing Yoogali and Hanwood required a six-hour round-trip for the North Eastern league's three Shepparton clubs and Tatura.

But Victorian-based clubs in the Albury-Wodonga league, such as Benalla and Wangaratta, would be away trips Trimboli hoped the North Eastern leagues clubs could add to its fixture in future.

Trimboli said looking to North Eastern clubs without men's senior teams in Numurkah and Kyabram was too difficult a process to force.

“I don't think there is much reality in waving the big stick in an amateur competition,” Trimboli said.