Divisional football is set to return to the Peninsula, Nepean and South East leagues

FOOTBALL on the Mornington Peninsula and in the southeast is set to be revamped, returning to a divisional model, with two options on the table.

As the perennial power in Peninsula, Frankston YCW will start in the Premier Division.

FOOTBALL on the Mornington Peninsula and in the southeast is set to be revamped and returned to a divisional model.

A discussion paper released by the AFL South East Region Commission this afternoon presents two options for the Peninsula, Nepean and South East leagues from 2018.

The first is a full-divisional structure for the 31 senior clubs, headed by a Premier league and second and third tiers, as well as scope for a fourth division as a “point of entry’’ for new or expanding clubs.

Promotion and relegation would apply for all divisions, with either one or two teams going up and down.

A minimum of two and a maximum of five teams from each league would be included in the initial Premier grade.

The report says that ultimately the make-up of each division will be geared towards making them “as competitive as possible and meets the needs of each club’’.

“Ideally, under this option, the review panel would ultimately like to see four divisions with the addition of more clubs.

“This model gives the Commission the flexibility to generate growth and potentially make the competitiveness of the divisions even greater. This is an important aspect for the growth of football in the region.’’

The report acknowledges that a full-divisional model could increase travel times to away games for players and umpires and deny clubs “local derbies or traditional rivalries’’, impacting attendances and volunteer numbers.

The second option is for a part-division structure, again headed by a Premier Division, but with region-based “Northern’’ and “Southern’’ divisions under it.

The premiers in both would be promoted, replacing the bottom two teams in Premier.

Such a set-up would ensure the region had a strong top grade of football and increase the likelihood of maintaining local derbies, the report said.

South East club Cranbourne appeals as a Premier starter under the divisional model.

But “struggling clubs may remain on the bottom of the ladder with little chance of rebuilding’’.

The discussion paper summarises feedback received by a review panel after meetings with all senior clubs in the AFL South East region.

Review panel chair and AFL South East Region general manager John Anderson said he was pleased with the way the club consultations were conducted.

“Clubs were open, honest and respectful during the process. The discussion paper has been prepared to incorporate much of the feedback received and recorded during the consultation phase,’’ he said.

“It was encouraging to hear from a number of clubs during the consultation phase that the Commission should act in the best interests of football in the region.

“As a Region Commission we have a responsibility to grow and develop the game and it is imperative that any competition structure has the scope to achieve that.’’

Anderson said the commission believed the two options were fair and would provide much-needed divisional football.

“The options not only address the concerns raised by the majority of clubs but they also strike a balance with the competing issues specific to some clubs.

“It is critical that local footy evolves to meet the challenges facing our region — this direction preserves our history and sets up our future.

“Of prime importance is the ability of our league to attract new clubs to participate in the competition.’’

All clubs were asked about the impact on netball during the consultation and a section of the paper has been devoted to issues facing local netball.

There was a desire to retain football and netball together at home games.

The review panel will consider feedback on the report and two options until Monday, July 3 before making a final recommendation to the region commission.