Northern Football League clubs support Kilmore’s application to transfer from the Riddell District Football League

UPDATE: KILMORE’s application to join the Northern Football League won overwhelming support from the competition’s clubs last night.

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KILMORE’s application to join the Northern Football League won overwhelming support from the competition’s clubs on Tuesday night.

As revealed by Local Footy, NFL clubs voted unanimously in favour of the Blues’ bid to transfer from the Riddell District Football League to NFL Division 3 next year.

Breaking: @northernfl clubs have voted unanimously to allow RDFL club Kilmore to join the competition in 2016 @localfooty

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) September 29, 2015

AFL Victoria will have the final say on whether Kilmore is allowed to move leagues.

In a statement released on Wednesday morning, the NFL confirmed clubs’ support for the Blues’ application.

“Representatives from Kilmore made a presentation to NFL clubs at a special general meeting held at La Trobe University on Tuesday night,” the statement read.

“At the conclusion of the presentation all member clubs voted in favour of Kilmore joining the league next season.”

Kilmore would be the second new team in as many years to join the NFL after Banyule crossed from the Victorian Amateur Football Association before the 2015 season.

PREVIOUS REPORT:

KILMORE will become the Northern Football League’s furthest outpost if its move from the Riddell District Football League is given the green light.

NFL chief executive Peter McDougall told Local Footy the competition’s boundaries were unlikely to stretch beyond Kilmore, which is more than 60km from inner-city clubs such as Northcote Park and Heidelberg.

“It’s an interesting one, 14 minutes past Wallan, which doesn’t sound too far,” McDougall said.

“But 14 minutes is still 14 minutes, whichever way you look at it.

“Wallan’s juniors play in the league and (their) seniors did play in the league previously.

“I would think ... Kilmore would probably be the furthest outpost we would want to go to.”

NFL clubs will vote on Tuesday night on the Blues’ proposed switch, with the league recommending it be rubberstamped.

McDougall said the league’s meetings with Kilmore officials had been positive.

Earlier this month, Kilmore president David Milne said the move was “a necessity” if the club was to maintain its playing group.

“There’s probably 20-odd kids living down there, so every second week is going to be like a home gave for them,” Milne said.

The Blues finished bottom of the RDFL this year, winning only one match.

Kilmore will start in Division 3 if its move to the NFL is ticked off, eliminating the bye which exists in the current seven-team competition.

It is expected the NFL’s lowest tier will continue with a four-team finals series regardless of the outcome of the Blues’ bid.

“An extra team in third division is good, but saying that it’s not just about an extra number,” McDougall said.

“It’s also making sure if we’re going to allow a new club to come into the league, it’s important they’re a good club — well organised, well structured, financially viable.

“Rather than just taking anyone to fill a gap. They tick all the boxes from that point of view.”

If NFL clubs accept Kilmore’s application, it would then need approval from AFL Victoria.

The scope of the league’s player points system will also be voted on at the meeting of clubs ahead of its introduction in 2016.