EFL 2018: Croydon North/Mount Lilydale Old Collegians set to join the Eastern Football League
THE Eastern Football League is poised to welcome its 45th club with Croydon North and Mount Lilydale Old Collegians set to merge.
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THE Eastern Football League is poised to welcome its 45th senior club with Croydon North and Mount Lilydale Old Collegians set to merge.
The two clubs have been in talks this year about joining forces for the 2019 season, putting a proposal to the EFL board earlier this month.
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The venture will be voted on by EFL clubs on October 1 for approval.
If successful, Croydon North/MLOC will be placed in Division 4 of the new five-tier competition next year and be based out of Hughes Park on Maroondah Highway.
Croydon North currently has a stand-alone team in the AFL Yarra Ranges veterans competition, while MLOC competes in Division 4 of the VAFA.
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.
EFL chief executive Phil Murton said the proposal aimed to make the clubs more sustainable.
“They think as a combined entity they can establish a pretty strong senior footy club that’s got good ties with the community,” Murton said.
“We think they can be a good addition … it is a good thing for the league so hopefully clubs see likewise.”
Playing in the bottom tier of the VAFA, MLOC has to travel to South Melbourne, Dandenong and Mornington.
MLOC president Brad Hughes said travel made it difficult to retain players.
“It’s very difficult playing in the VAFA being based in Lilydale given it’s in the heartland of the Eastern Footy League,” Hughes said.
“We also have the Yarra (Ranges) league next to us as well and in the VAFA competition we can’t pay anyone.
“The club doesn’t have anything against the VAFA, it is a great league but it was becoming increasingly difficult to retain players because of the travel.”
The club is working on a new jumper design as its current strip clashes with Ferntree Gully.
And it planned to adopt MLOC’s nickname of the Rams.
Croydon North’s Graham Hewitt said more than 40 players had already committed to play for the club next year.
“It’s a new club, new entity, we’re not about stealing players from any other club,” Hewitt said.
“We’ve already got a list of players we want to develop and nurture and basically build a footy club that is going to be healthy and respected.”
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