The region had a brief exposure to the VFL when North Melbourne entered into an alliance with the Ovens and Murray league to form the Murray Kangaroos in the early 2000s before the partnership dissolved.

The Bushrangers have remained a highly competitive outfit at under-18 level and a high percentage of players elect to progress to VFL ranks or other state leagues interstate once they have left the TAC Cup.

Ben Hollands believes a similar model can exist at senior level and other sports locally have shown AFL the way.

“We shouldn’t be afraid to focus on continuing to develop an elite focus on AFL competitions across North-East Victoria,” he said.

“Other sports have already taken that leap with the formation of Murray United soccer team recently and the Border Bandits have been a constant in the SEABL basketball competition for some time.

“It may take a couple of years to establish a team that competes with the very best in the VFL, but there is the resources, talent and opportunity to make a VFL team based in the North East work extremely well.

“With a mixture of O and M talent, Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup graduates, selective recruiting, and with abundant employment and education opportunities locally we have all the tools for a competitive local state league club.”

Ballarat is the only regional area to have a long-term presence in the VFL.

North Ballarat had success in the VFL when it had an affiliation with an AFL club, but without the player influx in recent seasons has started to struggle.

The Kangaroos will follow the lead of other Melbourne-based VFL clubs and field a standalone team from next season, leaving AFL Victoria to explore a two division structure which would open the door for teams from regional areas.

Dual Corowa-Rutherglen premiership coach Peter Tossol coached during the Murray Kangaroos era and said there were lessons to learn if the concept was re-visited.

"If a state league team was ever put together, it would enable the best young talent to stay local rather than have to relocate to Melbourne like they do now," he said.

"Good young players who don't get drafted who have that dream to play AFL football then won't be lured by VFL clubs to make up the numbers at some of those clubs which happens today.

"The loser in these circumstances is the home club who in most cases never sees these kids again.

"The clubs miss out, just like they did when transfer fees for drafted players were abolished."