EFNL 2021: Why Warrandyte declined Division 2 promotion offer
Warrandyte coach Paul Donahoo explains why Division 3 is the right fit for his club for 2022 after the club declined promotion.
Eastern
Don't miss out on the headlines from Eastern. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Warrandyte coach Paul Donahoo says his club has no regrets knocking back promotion to the Eastern league’s Division 2.
The league’s divisions received a shake-up last week when it was revealed Park Orchards would be promoted to Premier Division from the second tier, alongside East Burwood to Division 2.
The Bloods, who finished on top of the ladder in Division 3, received the league’s invitation first, before declining the move which second-placed East Burwood was subsequently offered.
Donahoo said the club’s decision went well beyond the lure of winning a premiership, with the age of the list thought to be a better fit in Division 3.
He said the club’s hierarchy were unanimous in the decision to stay put.
“It’s not just a premiership, we looked at where we’re at as a club, and our core senior group being that 23 to 25 range has got a really good future ahead of it we believe, and Division 2 is a fair jump,” Donahoo said.
“We understood that it was a really big jump and we felt that we really needed that bit of extra time to get the kids more developed.
“We just felt it’s best for where our list is at and what we want to try and achieve going forward.
“It seems like we’ve hit the nail on the head.”
The Bloods’ minor premiership this season follows a 2019 campaign which yielded a semi-final berth in Division 3.
Their 8-2 season was boosted by the impressive form of former Vermont and Upper Gully forward, Ryan Phillips, who capped off a stellar campaign at Warrandyte, tying for the league’s Division 3 best and fairest with Scoresby’s Paul Chadwick.
Phillips kicked 35 goals from 10 appearances.
“It’s great for him, great for the club as well. We played a couple of less games than some clubs as well … a really good way to cap it off,” Donahoo said.
“We’ve loved having him, he brings a lot of experience from higher levels of football … having that sort of presence and experience is just invaluable for us.”
Eastern league clubs will vote on September 29 on the transfers of Southern league club Oakleigh District into Division 2 for next season, while Outer East top-flight outfit Beaconsfield is seeking a move into Division 1.
Coldstream will join Warrandyte in Division 3 after recently accepting promotion from Division 4.
‘Stand with us’: Local footy club pushes to emerge from recess
A local footy club in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs has vowed to return from a year in recess. Here’s the latest and how you can get involved.
‘Crazy big game’: Local footy pair put up insane numbers
Two local footballers have produced numbers which have to be seen to be believed across the weekend with games over more than 60 disposals. See the breakdown.