The Hill End Junior Football Club and Yarragon Football Netball Club have teamed up to get an under 16s team on the park in 2025 and get as many kids playing as possible.
While the two clubs had shared players last year for their respective competitions, Hill End's recent move to have their under 16s fall under the management of their senior club has seen even more collaboration for the upcoming season.
Due to the senior club's league - the Mid Gippsland Football Netball League - not currently fielding an under 16s competition, the Rovers have looked to get creative to get their kids games.
The move comes not long after the junior club's attempted move from the Central Gippsland Junior Football League and Warragul and District Junior Football League was rejected by both the CGJFL and AFL Gippsland.
The arrangement will see Hill End and Yarragon players competing together under the Yarragon banner in the Ellinbank and District Football Netball League while Hill End retains their identity.
Hill End officials will coach and manage the side.
Issues regarding the club's under 16s side were a major sticking point in the Rovers' failed move, as the club decided that fielding a side in the CGJFL for that age group was not in their best interests.
In a post on their Facebook page, the Hill End Junior Football Club clarified that this was not a merger, but a temporary collaboration as the club seeks another way forward.
Trainings will rotate between Willow Grove and Yarragon on Tuesdays throughout the year while players will train with their home club on Thursdays.
The Rovers will continue to advocate for a move to the WDJFL for the 2026 season.