Deer Park and St Albans submit applications to join EDFL

Multiple top-flight WRFL clubs have put forward cases to join a rival competition. Details:

Two Western Region Football League clubs are on the verge of moving competitions.

On Wednesday night, the Essendon District Football League board accepted the applications of Deer Park and St Albans to join the competition.

Both clubs, who competed in Division 1 of the WRFL in season 2022, presented their cases to the league several weeks ago.

It’s understood both clubs will still need to go through several processes before their transition to the EDFL can be complete.

What division both clubs would enter into remains to be seen.

Those processes involve AFL Victoria and the WRFL being consulted.

Deer Park won seven straight premierships between 2013 and 2019.

The Lions finished the season third on the ladder but suffered a straight sets finals elimination.

St Albans missed finals in 2022 and recently reappointed its senior coach.

WRFL CEO Matthew Duck said the league will make a decision on its position on the matter in the coming days.

“The WRFL is disappointed that the applications have been made from two valued clubs, but equally understand this is the community football landscape we operate in,” Duck said.

“Under the relevant AFL Victoria Rules, the League has a period of ten business days to determine whether it will formally object to either/both applications, and will consider its position over this time.”