EDFL 2019: CEO Craig Armstead expects no senior changes for 2020

EDFL boss Craig Armstead has responded to talk Oak Park could receive a relegation reprieve in 2020, which would eliminate a bye in all senior grades.

Oak Park’s Justin Colliss is put under pressure against East Keilor this season. Picture: Andy Brownbill

EDFL chief executive Craig Armstead says there will be no changes to the competition’s senior structure in 2020.

Armstead poured cold water on rumours Oak Park could receive a relegation reprieve to create a 10-team competition in Division 1.

Premier Division will have 10 sides again next year, with Division 1 and 2 to house nine each.

Essendon District Football League chief executive Craig Armstead. Picture: Supplied

The EDFL expects Jacana, which went into recess in May, to field senior teams next season.

While the prospect of having an even number of teams in each grade and eliminating the bye is attractive, Armstead said it would create an uneven draw in Division 2.

The league ideally needs to gain two more senior clubs, taking the total number to 30, to cater for a fair draw and remove the bye in all senior competitions.

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“It’s certainly something, with the board, we talk about,” Armstead said.

“We’d like to have 10-10-10 clearly, and that’s our long-term aim.

“You balance the draw by doing 10-10-8, but you’ll have an uneven draw in second division in terms of playing opposition a different number of times.

“Certainly the board will have that discussion, but I think the starting point will be a 10-9-9 structure like we had this year.”

Oak Park will contest Division 2 in 2020, just nine years after qualifying for a Premier Division grand final.

The Kangaroos finished the campaign with a 1-15 record and have claimed just 13 victories in Division 1 in the past three seasons. They last made finals in 2016.

Sunbury Kangaroos, who crossed from the RDFL last off-season, are a red-hot favourite to win the Division 2 premiership and replace Oak Park in the second tier.

The EDFL is not expecting to have any new senior clubs next year.

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