MPNFL clubs to consider five new clubs for 2022 season

Five clubs from neighbouring leagues want to join the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League in 2022, including four from AFL Outer East.

Narre Warren and Beaconsfield are among five clubs to have expressed an interest to join the MPNFL.

Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League could expand in 2022 after five clubs expressed interest in joining it.

Four of the clubs are from AFL Outer East — Cranbourne, Narre Warren, Beaconsfield and Doveton — while the other is Frankston Dolphins, who play in the Southern league.

MPNFL clubs have been asked to fill out a survey and state their position on the potential expansion.

Applications to join the MPNFL must be submitted by August 31.

Twenty-two clubs make up the two divisions of the MPNFL senior competition.

A possible expansion could see the creation of a third division.

AFL South East chief operating officer Shaun Connell said it was a goal to grow the league to include a third division.

“Most certainly,’’ he said.

“The body of work that was done in 2019 … there certainly was an appetite for the MPNFL to expand.

“And hence why there was the strategic subcommittee formed to consider applications if they were to come forward.

“Yes, certainly a desire from the 2019 process, absolutely.’’

Cranbourne’s Marc Holt kicks a goal at the Eagles’ new home ground at Livingston Estate.

But Connell said there was no set time frame to bring in a Division 3.

He said AFL South East was “pleasantly surprised’’ that five clubs came forward with expressions of interest.

“To be honest with you, these clubs approached us,’’ Connell said.

“It wasn’t like we were actively seeking any particular clubs.

“So the fact that five have come to us just provides a terrific opportunity for the clubs to consider what that looks like.

“We were pleasantly surprised with five but it’s now across to the clubs to provide their feedback and see what comes of it.’’

In 2018, Cranbourne FNC’s application to join MPNFL was unsuccessful.

But the Eagles are trying again, with president Shane Baker saying the MPNFL would provide “that real competitive edge week in, week out’’.

“We put an EOI in just before the cut off date, basically,” Baker said.

“From a geographical sense, from a historical sense, some of those clubs we played against years ago, we just see it as a better fit for us.’’

Narre Warren is keeping its options open. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Narre Warren president Stuart Stephenson said his club was keeping its options open.

“We’ve been in the Outer East for a few years so it’s a good time to review our options for what’s best for us longer term,’’ he said.

“We’ve just got to go through the process of seeing what might be available.

“The AFL Outer East have run a really good competition and have treated us very well.

“I guess we’ve just got to be aware of what’s best for us longer term. Have a look at all our options.’’

Frankston Dolphins are situated in MPNFL territory and club president Mal Lewis said his club was exploring its options by putting in an expression of interest.

“You don’t get to look at the engine until you lift the bonnet do you?’’ he said.

“We put an EOI in two years ago … it came up (again) so we said well you’ve still got it, so let’s have a look at it, see what it looks like.

Lewis added: “We had a discussion with AFL South East. SFNL are aware of it. We’re just going to have a look at it and that’s about all there is to it.’’

Lewis said if the Frankston Dolphins did join the MPNFL, “it would have to be in Division 3’’.

“We’re not strong enough to be in Div 2,’’ he said.