mmg.com.au

The new AFL Goulburn Murray Commission is set to unveil its general manager.

AFL Victoria Country north-west area manager John O’Donohue said the commission had made a formal offer to an applicant and was waiting for confirmation.

It will be a major step in the continuing development of the new administration which has formed its base at the Kialla Community Centre.

‘‘It is all progressing quite well,’’ O’Donohue said.

‘‘We have obviously had a fair bit to set up.

‘‘We have the KDFL (Kyabram District Football League) and the juniors (Shepparton District Junior Football League) on board for 2013.

‘‘We have set up our base at the Kialla Recreation Reserve and we will announce our new general manager shortly.’’

He said the commission had met with the four surrounding leagues — Goulburn Valley, Picola District, Kyabram and Murray — and was in constant communication.

O’Donohue said Kyabram District had been the first to jump on board for the inaugural season.

He said he was confident others would follow suit.

‘‘We have had good discussions with the PDFL with a view to them reconsidering in 2014,’’ he said.

‘‘They want to have a look at how it all works first.

‘‘The Murray league, in our discussions, they indicated that they have got a full-time person working for them at the moment and then the GV, they are not all that interested at the minute with Keith (general manager Keith Wellman) still there.’’

O’Donohue said the first 12 months would be a learning experience for all involved.

‘‘The first 12 months will be about getting the model established and seeing how it all works,’’ he said.

‘‘We will then hope to expand in 2014.’’

O’Donohue will be vacating his position, to take up the general manager role of the newly formed AFL North East Border Commission.

He said he would be relocating once his AFL Victoria role was filled.