Marion, OSB/Lonsdale facing Southern Football League chopping block as officials address blowouts

THE Southern Football League will pursue a ten or even nine-team competition — and has ruled out expanding to two divisions — as officials try to preserve the 131-year-old league’s integrity.

Paul Munce from Reynella is tackled by Dean Conier from Marion in a Southern Football League match this year. Marion is considering a move to the Adelaide Football League. Picture: Stephen Laffer

THE Southern Football League is set to cut at least one team as soon as next season in a bid to strengthen the 131-year-old competition.

SFL club presidents voted at a meeting on August 21 to reduce the league to a maximum 10-team competition in 2018, down from the current 11, following score blowouts this season.

Bottom-placed Marion and 10th-ranked O’Sullivan Beach/Lonsdale are the clubs the league is considering cutting from its A-grade competition.

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However, a final decision is not likely until next month and would be based on both clubs meeting strict criteria outlined by the SFL, which includes fielding juniors in all grades. Marion currently has its junior sides play in metropolitan under-age competitions administered by the SANFL.

If both teams want to remain in the SFL competition, club presidents would vote on which one to boot out.

SFL president Craig Warman said most clubs had been supportive of the proposed move to strengthen the competition to remain viable.

Mr Warman ruled out splitting the competition in two divisions because it relied on clubs outside the region nominating to play in the SFL, which he said had not happened.

“If (the clubs) aren’t able to meet their duties then they need to decide where they want to play their footy,” Mr Warman told the Southern Times Messenger.

“The indication I’ve had is that one or more of these teams isn’t able to meet these obligations.

“If we have a situation where both teams want to play, the clubs will have a decision to make.”

The scoreboard close to the three-quarter time siren of a match between Marion and Reynella earlier this year. Picture: Stephen Laffer

Mr Warman said that if both teams opted to leave the league a nine-team competition would go ahead in 2018.

“We can still run with a nine-team competition,” he said.

“There’s also the option for them to do like Hackham did, and drop from the top level.”

The decision comes after Morphettville Park and Brighton left the SFL last season to play in the amateur league.

Marion, which voted against the 10-team league proposal, was considering its options last week. It is understood the club favours a move to the amateur league.

“We are undertaking a review now (the league) has released the required information to make a decision,” Marion president Jack McCallum said.

OSB/Lonsdale president Heidi Condon said her club would vote whether to try to remain in the SFL or look to play in a neighbouring competition. “If it came down to it between our club and (Marion), which is also looking at its options, I am confident we could get the tenth spot,” Ms Condon said.