EFL: Eastern Football League releases fixture for 2019

Anzac Day football will return to the Eastern Football League in 2019 after the fixture for next year was released.

Jake Hammond has a shot at goal against South Croydon in this year’s preliminary final. Picture: James Ross/AAP

Anzac Day football will return to the Eastern Football League in 2019 after the fixture for next year was released.

South Croydon will host Blackburn on April 25 in a standalone fixture, the second time in three years the two sides have played on Anzac Day.

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Luke Nelson rides a bump for Noble Park in the Round 18 clash against Balwyn this year. Picture: Chris Eastman/AAP

Other highlights on the Premier division calendar include the Good Friday clash on April 19, when Balwyn will unveil its new clubrooms against Blackburn, and the standalone clash between Noble Park and Balwyn over the Queen’s Birthday weekend at Pat Wright Senior Oval.

Next year will mark the first time the EFL will be a five-division competition.

The move to create an extra division will see an extra four clubs given the opportunity to play finals.

New EFL chief executive Troy Swainston said his priority in the role would be to create an even competition.

“Having completed the fixture, I’m pretty excited about every game that has been scheduled because I can see it’s going to be competitive,” Swainston said.

“I think there’s going to be a really significant increase interest in the third and fourth divisions next year.

“Probably a couple of our lower division clubs look like having a really good opportunity to play finals.”

@EastRingwood_FC to play @mooroolbarkfc for first time since 1991 and @DoncasterEastFC, @UFTGFC and @ParkOrchardsFC for first time ever. https://t.co/FTzuN0cX4t

— Noel (@statsbench) November 26, 2018

@ScoresbyFC to play @MitchamFC for first time since 2004 https://t.co/PPJiR8icBd

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Ferntree Gully and South Belgrave will host return night fixtures in Division 3, while Fair Park will meet Surrey Park under lights Round 3.

Croydon North/Mount Lilydale will also play its first game in the competition since transferring from the VAFA against Fair Park on April 6.

Swainston predicted the move to scale the top tier back by two teams would create a more even competition, with each club playing each other twice.

“There is no easy games and you’re really going have to stand on your own two feet in all divisions,” he said.

“If you’re not quite good enough for Premier, it’s going to be tough but divisional movements via promotion and relegation will ensure longer term competitiveness.

“I think overall there will be more competitive and exciting games. With two clubs going back down into Division 1 (in 2018) it really should tighten up the competition even further.”

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