Eastern Football League restructure makes for intriguing Division 3 relegation battle

AS MANY as six sides could be fighting to avoid relegation in Division 3 this year as part of the league’s move to a five-tier competition.

Waverley Blues coach Bryce McGain. Picture Davis Harrigan

AS MANY as six sides could be fighting to avoid relegation in Division 3 this year as part of the league’s move to a five-tier competition.

Six of the 12 clubs will be demoted to the fourth tier for 2019 as part of the competition restructure, leaving a host of mid-table sides battling to avoid relegation.

Top-four sides Boronia, Ringwood, Scoresby and Heathmont are the early pacesetters, but just two games separate fifth to 10th after the first seven rounds.

South Belgrave and winless Chirnside Park occupy the bottom two positions on the table and are facing the likelihood of relegation.

The Basin coach Justin Stanton said the competition restructure added a layer of intrigue to Division 3.

“We’re mindful there is going to be two strong competitions — one fighting for a spot in the five and equally the other competition will be trying to fight for that sixth spot (to stay up),” Stanton said.

Warrandyte coach Anthony McGregor. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“We’re mindful that we’ve not only got to try and keep our noses ahead of the ones that are right up our backsides so to speak, but we also need to try and somehow bridge the gap on the ones that are in front of us.

“I think we are probably positioned where our ability sits at the moment, somewhere around that five to eight and we want to make sure we end up fifth or sixth.”

Waverley Blues coach Bryce McGain said his side, which was relegated from Division 2 last year, would be among the clubs vying to remain in Division 3.

“There are no dead games, there are no dead rubbers, there are no moments to take your foot off the gas,” McGain said.

“Every game is important and that’s the way football should be and it is making for a very, very competitive Division 3.

“Jammed in the middle are a lot of teams wanting to stay there and get some success so it is super competitive.”

Warrandyte coach Anthony McGregor said his young side’s season would be measured on its development, adding the top-four teams were “a cut above us at the moment”.

“We’re just going to see where that process takes us this year, if it takes us up, fantastic, but if we are roundabouts then we’ll build on that for next year,” McGregor said.

“Our year is not going to be measured on going up or staying down, it is going to be measured on how our processes are standing up and if we keep improving.”