EXCLUSIVE – Local MP Mary-Anne Thomas has expressed her “genuine shock and real disappointment” in the Riddell District Football Netball League for blocking the Kyneton Women’s Football Club from playing in season 2026.

The MP has written to league CEO Jordan Doyle stating she was “disappointed and confused by the actions of the league” in appealing against the KWFC’s acceptance to the Central Victoria Football League, despite the RDFNL having rejected the women itself. AFL Victoria upheld the league’s appeal, leaving KWFC unable to join the competition.

“It was with genuine shock and real disappointment that I became aware of the subsequent intervention by the RDFNL in this process, particularly given that the arrangement concerned a league outside of the RDFNL’s jurisdiction,” Ms Thomas said.

“The outcome of this intervention has regrettably left the Kyneton women’s team back at square one, undoing progress that had been achieved in good faith.

“The reasons for the RDFNL’s intervention in this process remain unclear.

“The ongoing consequences of these actions now place the participation of the Kyneton Wedgies women’s team in 2026 in serious doubt.

“At a time when we should be working collectively to strengthen and grow women’s and girls’ participation in sport, the situation represents a troubling setback.

“I am disappointed and confused by the action taken by the RDFNL in this matter. It is difficult to reconcile with your stated objectives of supporting participation, fairness, and growing women’s sport locally.”

CONTROVERSY SWELLS OVER “GROOMING AND GENDER WEIRDNESS” COMMENT

The MP’s admonishment of the RDFNL comes as controversy swells over alleged comments made by the president of the league, Brenton Knott, in relation to the women’s team.

The Midland Express has viewed a message sent by Mr Knott to an online supporter of the Kyneton women. It read:

“You need to look at the other side. They don’t deserve anything – you’re advocating that any team that’s not happy breaks away?? How is that manageable by AFL? If you look at the principals (sic) in this – it’s not about footy, it’s about grooming and gender weirdness. You follow local footy, so you need to see AFL Vic and RDFNL aren’t the bad ones here”.

Members and supporters of the Kyneton women’s club have responded with shock.

Leticia Hayes, whose 16-year-old daughter has trained with the women since she was 13 years old, said she’d never felt that her daughter had been unsafe in their company.

“She’s always felt supported,” Ms Hayes said.

“This (the league president) is someone who is in charge of a community sporting organisation and he holds these views.

“They need to be held to account and the whole board needs a review if this is coming from the top.”

KWFC also responded with a statement condemning the league president’s accusation.

“Kyneton Women’s Football Club is deeply disturbed by a message that is now public, attributed to RDFNL president Brenton Knott, which uses harmful and offensive language in relation to gender diversity and inclusion in football,” the club said.

“When senior officials rely on rhetoric that falsely links inclusion with risk, it undermines trust, safety and confidence in the systems designed to protect participants.

“While KWFC will be seeking legal advice in relation to this matter, we believe it is important to publicly call out conduct and rhetoric that undermines inclusion, mischaracterises our members, or damages confidence in our club.

“KWFC will be submitting the content we have received to AFL integrity.

“We call on AFL Victoria to review this matter immediately.”

The RDFNL was unable to respond to a request for comment before our publishing deadline yesterday morning.