The MPNFL is its ‘perfect destination’ but Cranbourne commits to AFL Outer East for 2020

It’s been a testing year for the Eagles but they say they’re getting behind the league that ‘has done the right thing by us’.

Stuart Morrish playing in front for Cranbourne.

As Berwick looks to the Eastern league, Cranbourne is committed to playing in the AFL Outer East in 2020.

The Eagles tried to join the MPNFL 12 months ago but were turned away by the clubs in a decision that generated much discussion.

Cranbourne was open to the prospect of reapplying again for admission next year, but AFL Victoria told it that under Victorian country football rules any club knocked back in trying to transfer competitions must wait 24 months.

At the same time the MPNFL subcommittee dealing with plans for a third division sent the Eagles an expression-of-interest document.

Cranbourne president Shane Baker said the move to the AFL Outer East, finalised last November, had presented challenges, with the club unable to field an Under 18 team for the first time in 64 years, losing players and sponsors, and drawing smaller gates.

“If that’s a business, you review everything, and we had a couple of chats, nothing official, about what might need to happen,’’ Baker said.

Cranbourne’s Nick Darbyshire. Picture: Stuart Milligan

“To be honest, we’re loath to apply to the MPNFL right at this point. The Outer East has done the right thing by us. I think it (MPNFL) is still our perfect destination but it’s certainly not going to happen in 2020. If we were going to go there (MPNFL) we would want absolute surety that it was going to happen, so that we don’t have to put anyone through any trouble again.

“We’re happy where we are at the moment, and that’s what it is.’’

Baker said people had the view that Cranbourne was “caught in no-man’s land’’ and were concerned about the drive to Healesville and other clubs.

“Really, Healesville is no further than Sorrento,’’ he said.

“But the mindset’s there. With the thirds, there was that perception about having to be up there at whatever time in the morning. We were a bit spoiled that everyone had been within 15 or 20 minutes of us and then all of a sudden we had to travel 45 minutes to an hour to some places. I don’t think that appeased the ‘unders’. But that’s where Cranbourne is. You can’t pick the town up and move it.

“It has hurt our sponsorship, it’s hurt our gate, and when it hurts your gate it hurts your bar and canteen. From that side it’s been a struggle. But the quality of footy is just as good. We lost to Woori Yallock, Olinda and Wandin this year. I think there’s been a rise in the standard, put it that way.’’

Cranbourne coach Steve O’Brien has steered the side to the last four despite an uncertain pre-season.

Cranbourne finished fifth and is down to the final four of the Premier division. It meets Beaconsfield in a semi-final at Doveton on Saturday.

Baker said the smaller grounds of Outer East had tested the players and coach Steve O’Brien.

“I’ve no doubt it’s improved him (O’Brien) as a coach because he’s had to think a bit more laterally than we we’re playing on the bigger grounds like Beacy and Narre and Berwick.

“Everyone has had to adapt. It hasn’t been a bad exercise from that point of view.’’

Baker said it would be a blow to the competition if Berwick crossed to Eastern because it was by far the best team in the league.

MPNFL FLOATS THIRD DIVISION

BERWICK EYES EASTERN LEAGUE

But he said Cranbourne understood the reasons the Wickers wanted out.

“They provide the standard we want to get to, and make us work a bit harder, so it would be a kick in the guts from that regard,’’ Baker said.

AFL South East CEO John Anderson said he believed Cranbourne was “a better fit’’ for the MPNFL than the Outer East but ultimately the MPNFL clubs had to be convinced of that.

He said the establishment of the subcommittee should make the process easier for clubs wanting to join the MPNFL.