EFL 2018: Croydon North/Mount Lilydale Old Collegians proposal to join the Eastern Football League approved
THE Eastern Football League will become a 45-team competition in 2019 after the Croydon North and Mount Lilydale Old Collegians merge was approved.
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THE Eastern Football League will become a 45-team competition in 2019 after the Croydon North and Mount Lilydale Old Collegians’s bid to join the league was approved.
Club delegates voted in the Croydon North/MLOC proposal at an EFL board meeting on Monday night.
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The Rams will compete in Division 4 next year, making the fifth tier a nine-team competition.
Representatives from both clubs have been working behind the scenes on the proposal for most of this year.
Croydon North has fielded a stand-alone team in the AFL Yarra Ranges veterans competition, while MLOC competed in Division 4 of the VAFA this year.
The Rams would field seniors, reserves and veterans sides next year with a view to establish an under-19s, senior women’s and netball teams.
Mark Holly, who coached Mt Lilydale this year, would remain at the helm.
Croydon North/MLOC president Graham Hewitt said he was relieved the vote was approved.
“The aim in the first year is to stabilise on and off field and play finals in three years, four years,” Hewitt said.
“We don’t know how the list will stack up against fourth division sides.
“The first four or five games will be a test for everyone and the biggest worry I’ve got is to make sure the players are competitive and are going to enjoy it.
“You can throw as much money as you want at a footy side but you need the players, the volunteers and the members to enjoy the experience.”
The club already has 44 players signed for next year.
“All the Mt Lilydale boys from this year have agreed (to play),” Hewitt said.
“We’re basically going to have the same side as this year and not rob any other clubs of players.
“That was one of our original points that we don’t want to rob other clubs of their players because they have spent years developing them.
“We’ll build our list from what we’ve got.”
Meanwhile, Eltham Collegians’ bid to join the Northern Football League from the VAFA has been delayed until October 10.
The Turtles have applied to transfer to the NFL from 2019.
Sunbury Kangaroos will also join the Essendon District league from the Riddell District competition.
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