Eastern Football League looks at grading its under-19s competition in 2019

THE Eastern Football League could grade its under-19s competition as soon as next year in a bid to prevent blowouts and increase participation.

Donvale celebrates its under-19s premiership last year. Picture: George Salpigtidis/AAP

THE Eastern Football League could grade its under-19 competition as soon as next year in a bid to prevent blowouts and increase participation.

The health of the under-19s has long been a talking point in league circles, but the plight of several Division 1 clubs this year has brought the issue to a head.

From the start of 2013 to Round 7 this year, there has been 313 under-19 games decided by 100 points or more.

Just eight teams compete in the top tier after Knox withdrew from the competition in Round 4.

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Doncaster, East Ringwood and South Croydon are also without an under-19 team, but the Bulldogs have a merged side with Whitehorse Pioneers in Division 4.

South Croydon football operations manager Damon Hindmarsh supported grading the under-19s, much the same way junior football is, fearing if nothing was done the strong clubs would only get stronger.

“We were trying to get our own side together but the problem we have is because our (under) 19s the past couple of years haven’t been very competitive, the kids aren’t wanting to continue playing,” Hindmarsh said.

“It would make a lot more sense for sides that don’t have a strong 19s to play in a lower division. Our kids at the moment are getting a lot out of it playing for Whitehorse.”

Eastern Football League chief executive Phil Murton. Picture: Christopher Chan.

Knox president Jane Barbanti said the Falcons lost a host of junior players to rival clubs in lower divisions as they did not want to play Division 1.

Barbanti said grading the under-19s would create a more even competition but could add a strain on volunteers as that side could be playing at a different venue to the reserves and seniors.

“I think your players’ enjoyment is the utmost goal, that’s what we are all here for,” Barbanti said.

“We’re all involved in volunteering our time and our energy to support our boys so to me, that is our top priority.”

Conversely, standout clubs in lower grades, such as Park Orchards in Division 2, would get the opportunity to play in stronger competitions.

The Sharks have won the past three Division 3 under-19 flags and have suffered just two defeats since the start of 2016.

Park Orchards under-19 coach Tony Weeks said grading was needed to create more competitive games.

“The kids need it (competition), they get complacent, they get lazy, they get into bad habits and purely for their development to have real competitive football week-in, week-out would be so much better,” he said.

AFL Barwon graded its under-19 competitions five years ago.

Region manager Lee Hartman said since the move, “we’ve cut down the margins by half, we’ve got more participants playing than ever before and clubs have more teams playing”.

“I think it would be a positive step for the (EFL) clubs to go down that path because at the end of the day it’s the last age group of football before seniors and you don’t want to be losing participants because of lopsided scores,” Hartman said.

While clubs have traditionally been opposed to grading, EFL chief executive Phil Murton said placing teams “in a competition that might be more commensurate with their ability makes sense”.

Murton said club concerns over the strain on volunteers and resources about potentially playing at two different venues on one day were not “insurmountable”, adding grading could be introduced for the 2019 season.

“For the betterment of your whole club, everyone acknowledges having an under-19 team is more preferable than not having one,” Murton said.

“I think that’s where it’s up to us and clubs to try and create an environment that’s going to allow as many clubs as possible to try and get that team up.

“I think we’ll probably have the opportunities to introduce a bit more change next year that might be a bit of benefit to everyone.”

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