AFL Outer East: In search of more competitive football, league approaches clubs on changes to divisional make-up
Mindful of some lopsided results in its Premier Division, AFL Outer East has given clubs the chance to say where they best fit in the divisional structure. But, it remains a long-term plan.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
In a search for more competitive football across all three divisions, AFL Outer-East has flagged possible changes to the make-up of its divisional structure in 2020 and beyond.
Last week clubs were notified by the league that the current promotion/relegation pathway would remain the same with the bottom team in Premier Division to be relegated to Division 1 while the Division 1 premier will be promoted to the top flight. Promotion from Division 2 to Division 1 would again be by application.
The league’s preferred structure remains nine teams in Premier Division, nine in Division 1 and eight in Division 2.
However, that plan is not set in stone and in an effort to find an improved competitive balance, clubs have been invited to submit applications as to which division they wish to contest in 2020.
“Nine-nine-eight is the preferred model,” regional general manager Aaron Bailey said. “But it could be anything, eight-nine-nine, eight-eight-10.
“Realistically we’d prefer 10 in Premier Division but we’re not locked into anything, there’s flexibility there. So we’re open to approaches from clubs.
“We’re mindful clubs maybe haven’t landed in their ideal position.
“We’ll take a look at all the applications and we’ll work with clubs to identify what level they want to be at.”
MORE FOOTY NEWS
BERWICK ADDRESSES TALK OF A MOVE
TOM BOYD COULD MAKE A LOCAL FOOTBALL RETURN
The memo to clubs also stated that, while ladder position in 2019 will be important in any final decision, the league will also look at off-field performance (finances etc), commitment to netball, underage football and netball pathways, and facility development and planning.
Clubs have been given until the end of the month to consult their key stakeholders as to their preferred division for 2020.
In last week’s memo, the league urged clubs to adopt a “long term view during this process and identify clearly where the best fit is for their club in the long term”.
“This is a unique opportunity for clubs to identify, plan and implement a long term vision for their club,” it said.
When seven clubs from the now-defunct South-East Football Netball League joined the AFL Yarra Ranges to form AFL Outer-East, much of the pre-season social media chatter centred on the possibility that SEFNL clubs would be too strong for AFL Yarra Ranges clubs.
Some lopsided scorelines in the opening seven rounds of the Premier Division season have done nothing to alleviate those worries.
Bailey said, while concerned at some of the one-sided scorelines in the Premier ranks, the league was adopting a long-term view.
“We didn’t do this for today,” he said. “We did it for 2021, for 2025.
“Change is difficult and there has been a sizeable change and we just need to settle.
“We’re certainly mindful of the competitiveness of Premier. We’re really pleased with how Division 1 and Division 2 is going.
“At their best, the best of the old Yarra Ranges clubs has been competitive with the SEFNL clubs. They just have to do it more consistently and for longer. And, over time, that will happen.”
Bailey said a key to the long-term viability of the league was strengthening the under-18 competition.
“We have to get the structure of the under-18s right so the clubs can continue to get their depth right for the future,” he said. “We have to make sure that clubs continue to develop from within. Retention of players in the junior ranks has improved dramatically in the last three years with an increase of 900 junior participants, including 450 boys.”
Bailey said the league remained committed to divisional football so all new clubs can find their best entry point while existing clubs can find a level that best fits their situation.
He also said the league remained committed to a Premier Division so that aspirational clubs and players can play at an elite level and not feel like they have to head to other leagues to play in top flight competition.
WHAT A LEADER LOCAL FOOTY SUBSCRIPTION GIVES YOU ACCESS TO
— Match reports, features, player and coach movements and analysis of all the leagues across Melbourne.
— Unprecedented AFL coverage.
— All the latest football news from across the country including Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph and Courier-Mail.
— Latest news and videos from the world’s leading leagues.
— Exclusive digital stories and videos before they go to print.
VFL Cat, GFNL gun on the move in major blow
One of the best players in the competition is heading back to his former club.
Laurimar lands local footy goalkicking great
Laurimar has joined the NFNL Division 3 arms race, securing one of the Northern league’s greatest goalkickers for its return to the competition in 2025.