EFL 2018: As many as four VFL players could return for South Croydon in Eastern Football League finals

THE availability of VFL players could potentially shape this year’s Eastern Football League Division 1 finals series and leave some clubs with selection headaches.

THE availability of VFL players could potentially shape this year’s Eastern Football League Division 1 finals series and leave some clubs with selection headaches.

After the axing of the state league’s development competition last year, several VFL players have filtered back to local football in 2018.

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Doncaster is the only top tier club which does not have any state league aligned players, while South Croydon could have as many as four VFL players available during finals.

Alex Greenwood gathers the ball for Footscray. Picture: David Smith

Blackburn wingman Mackenzie Doreian has played three VFL games in the second half of the season, while Sandringham vice-captain Jack Noone is both one game away from qualifying for EFL finals and being ineligible due to playing too many state league games.

Burners forward Ryan Bathie has also made five VFL appearances for Richmond.

However, 2017 VFL Team of the Year member Anthony Brolic will be unavailable for Rowville as he has already reached the 12-game state league threshold.

Footscray pair Robbie McComb and Alex Greenwood could be available for Vermont, while Box Hill ruckman Michael Knoll may also return for the Eagles.

Anthony Brolic is ineligible to play for Rowville this finals series. Picture: Brendan Francis

“The whole competition has been affected by what the AFL has done obviously because there was all those boys that were playing VFL seconds,” Vermont club manager Lee Bidstrup said.

“There is a lot of better players floating around and that has certainly bolstered some clubs more than others.”

Northern Blues left-footer Glenn Strachan will be available for South Croydon, while Box Hill duo Chris Jones and Nick Evans and Williamstown vice-captain Jason Pongracic could also feature for the reigning premier in finals.

Glenn Strachan takes a mark for Northern Blues. Picture: Mark Dadswell

However, it’s unlikely Pongracic (five points), Jones (five) and Kilpatrick (three) could play in the same team due to the player points cap of 47.

Strachan is valued at just one point.

“With (the) points, can we fit them all in? No we can’t,” South Croydon football operations manager Damon Hindmarsh said.

“If we get them all at once, yeah, we’re going to have trouble but we’re just going to pick the ones we think are the best suited to the team we’re playing and our team.”

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The availability of Pongracic, Jones and Kilpatrick could also depend on how far their respective sides go in the VFL finals.

If a player plays at least 12 VFL or TAC Cup games in a season, they are ineligible for EFL finals.

“We won’t be sweating on it, we’ve got a few of our own to come back but I think they’ll just be nice bonuses to add to the side,” Hindmarsh said.

“We’re not sitting there thinking it is the be-all and end-all to get them back.”