Eastern league: Promotion, relegation plans revealed following shortened 2021 season

An Eastern league board meeting has determined the fate of several clubs for season 2022. Latest here.

Coldstream will be promoted to Division 3 for next season. Picture: Josie Hayden

The Eastern league has revealed its plans for promotion and relegation following the shortened season and cancelled finals series.

In a memo circulated to clubs from league chief executive officer Troy Swainston, a board meeting on Monday night determined that “promotion and relegation would not automatically apply”.

Under normal circumstances, the premiership teams across divisions 1, 2, 3 and 4 are promoted for the next season, while the last-placed teams in Premier Division, 1, 2 and 3 are relegated.

But Swainston confirmed Coldstream would be promoted to Division 3 from Division 4 for season 2022.

Coldstream finished the home-and-away campaign on top of the Division 4 ladder, undefeated on 11 wins with a percentage of 543.29 – and an average winning margin of 132 points. It was shooting for its first senior flag since 2001.

Coldstream's Lauchlan Craig in action. Picture: Josie Hayden

The freeze on automatic relegation hands Doncaster East (Premier Division), Upper Ferntree Gully (Division 1), Templestowe (Division 2) and Fairpark (Division 3) a reprieve after finishing on the bottom of the ladder.

Vermont (Premier Divison), Park Orchards (Division 1), Ringwood (Division 2) and Warrandyte (Division 3) finished on top of the ladder in their respective competitions.

Swainston said clubs could submit a case for promotion.

“The Board will however consider promotion at its discretion where it believes there is a compelling case for a club to be promoted or there are opportunities to create an improved competition structure that will enhance the overall competition,” he said in the memo.

“The league continues to work through the divisional structures and will when appropriate make further announcements about any club movements once those decisions are finalised.”

Meanwhile, the Eastern league board has also approved a move to award cups to minor premiers, following consultation with “several clubs”, including those who finished on top of the ladder and other leagues.

“The Board felt it was extremely important to recognize (sic) the teams that finished on top across league competitions with a Minor Premiers Cup,” Swainston said in the memo.

Senior women’s and junior teams who finished on top of the ladder would however be awarded premiership cups, “based on 80% and 86% of the season being completed”.