Eastern league: Why Coldstream made the move to Division 3

Coldstream coach Chad Rogers explains why his club needed to be promoted from the Eastern league’s Division 4.

Coldstream’s Darcy Fritsch kicked 74 goals from 10 games this season. Picture: Field of View Sports Photography

Coldstream will compete in the Eastern league’s Division 3 for the first time in a decade – and senior coach Chad Rogers has lauded the move.

A Monday night Eastern league board meeting determined that promotion and relegation would not automatically apply after the shortened season, but the Cougars 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 on track to win its first senior flag since 2001.

A club letter to the Eastern league board mounted a compelling case for promotion, and helped seal the deal for the Cougars.

The club last competed in Division 3 in 2012.

Coldstream coach Chad Rogers says his list was due for promotion. Picture: Field of View Sports Photography

Rogers said his group “deserved” to be playing in a higher division on the back of its past two campaigns which have collectively netted a 24-3 win-loss record.

“We wanted to be promoted, we feel we’re in a good position to be promoted and deserved it,” Rogers said.

“Even in 2019 when we won our last 10 games (of the home-and-away season) and going undefeated this season, it’s been a couple of years in the process we feel.”

But Rogers also recognised the promotion as a bittersweet move, with the players missing out on a shot at silverware and the chance to snap a two-decade flag drought.

“In a way it is (bittersweet), to me it’s great because we still get to go up to the division that (the club) needs to be in,” he said.

“The club’s in a really strong position going forward, but the players miss out on that celebration and earning something that’s well deserved.

“You miss out on that, but at the same time the club still gets to go through to third division which is great.”

The shortened campaign and cancelled finals series also put paid to boom recruit Darcy Fritsch’s chance to kick 100 goals in a season, after an effort of 74 majors from 10 matches had him well on track for the milestone.

Rogers added it was imperative for the development of his side to be playing a higher standard of footy.

“Some of the players need to be playing a higher level of footy for stimulation, growth and development – I’m really looking forward to seeing how these boys go, because I think we can be pretty strong.”

But the Cougars might not be the only club promoted ahead of season 2022.

In a memo circulated to clubs from league chief executive officer Troy Swainston, he 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,” Swainston said in the memo.