Local footy: Rupertswood makes move from RDFNL to EDFL
Reigning Riddell District league premier Rupertswood is on the move, joining a rival competition for 2021, with the RDFNL expressing its disappointment.
Local Footy
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Rupertswood has been given the green light to cross to the Essendon District Football League after a successful appeal.
The Riddell District league said it was “extremely disappointed” after AFL Victoria’s appeals tribunal approved the move.
The Sharks’ bid to join the EDFL was blocked by the RDFNL earlier this year, forcing mediation.
But the 2019 RDFNL premier will join a third league next year after stints in the VAFA and RDFNL.
Division 1 appears Rupertswood’s likely destination in the EDFL, and it is understood a call will be made later this month.
President Brad Pietromonaco would not comment when contacted by Leader Local Footy on Thursday.
“It is with much excitement that we join the EDFL commencing in the 2021 season,” Pietromonaco said in an EDFL statement.
“We thank the AFL Goldfields and the RDFNL for their understanding and co-operation in this matter.
“We wish the RDFNL every success in continuing to be a viable and successful League and also thank them for giving our club the chance to grow and develop while playing in the RDFNL.”
EDFL boss Ian Kyte said: “Rupertswood is a strong club comprising of senior football, junior football and netball teams and we very much look forward to seeing them compete across all of our competitions from season 2021.”
Rupertswood is the third RDFL club to join a rival competition in as many years after Sunbury Kangaroos crossed to the EDFL in 2019 and Broadford joined AFL Outer East for 2020.
The Sharks boast a strong senior side and claimed their maiden senior flag last season, crushing Wallan by 85 points in the grand final.
They also finished the 2018 home-and-away campaign as minor premier before exiting the premiership race in straight sets.
“The Riddell District Football Netball League received notification from AFL Victoria last night (Wednesday) that the league’s objection to the transfer of Rupertswood FNC to the Essendon District Football League was dismissed,” RDFNL president Brenton Knott said.
“The RDFNL is extremely disappointed with the decision of AFL Victoria given the timing after requesting stability during a global pandemic.
“The RDFNL clubs and board have been aware of Rupertswood’s desire to transfer leagues for sometime and are prepared for 2021 without them.
“The league will continue on with the nine senior and 15 junior clubs and will get past this disappointment and look forward to returning to community football and netball in 2021.”
If the EDFL places the Sharks in Division 1, it would create a 10-team competition and eliminate the bye in the second tier.
It would also prevent the risk of a potentially lopsided Division 2 competition.
Sunbury Kangaroos finished eighth on the RDFNL ladder with six wins in 2018 before completing an undefeated season in the EDFL’s bottom grade the following year.
Division 1 looms as a hotly-contested competition in 2021, with East Keilor, Airport West, Tullamarine and Westmeadows among the sides in contention for the ultimate prize.
Rupertswood will have a new coach next year after Nick Ash’s departure.
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