MPNFL: No premierships, promotion and relegation in season 2021

A call has been made on promotion, relegation and flags in the MPNFL for 2021.

Sam Gilbert in action for Bonbeach. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League will not award premierships in 2021.

The same applies for other AFL South East administered leagues SEWF, SEJ, FDJFL and Top Age Competition.

With the season cancelled earlier this month, the MPNFL’s two senior men’s competitions will be unchanged for the 2022 season.

While no premierships will be awarded, top teams will be recognised with a minor premiership title.

Bonbeach and Langwarrin finished on top of the senior men’s Division 1 and 2 ladders respectively.

“In determining this position, the completion of a finals series was considered critical to recognise and award a Premiership,” AFL South East said in a statement sent to clubs on Wednesday.

“However, AFLSE determined it was necessary to recognise the teams that finished first on the ladder across all competitions.

“Therefore, the team that finished first on the ladder after, or at the cancellation of, the home and away season will be acknowledged as the Minor Premiers for season 2021.

“No premiership flags or medallions will be presented.”

Promotion and relegation was also ruled out in 2021 due to the shortened home and away season and cancellation of the finals series.

“The application of promotion and relegation has been to promote the Division 2 team that wins the grand final, not the team which finishes first after the home and away season,” the statement said.

“As a finals series was not able to be completed, it was determined that automatic promotion should not be applied.”

This decision dashes Langwarrin’s hopes of moving up to Division 1. The Kangaroos were on top of the Division 2 ladder with a 12-1 record.

Pines, which was on the bottom of the ladder in Division 1, will remain in the top division.

League best and fairest awards will be presented online over the coming weeks.