NFL 2018: Clubs to vote on Eltham Collegians’ application
THE vote to consider Eltham Collegians’ bid to join the Northern Football League has been delayed until October 10.
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THE vote to consider Eltham Collegians’ bid to join the Northern Football League has been delayed until October 10.
The Victorian Amateur Football Association club, which finished 10th in Division 2 this year, has applied to transfer to the NFL from 2019.
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The NFL board has recommended to its clubs the application be accepted, which would result in Eltham Collegians becoming the league’s 28th senior club.
A vote had been due to take place last night, but was postponed.
Division 3 premier St Mary’s will be promoted to Division 2 next year and the addition of the Turtles would leave the second and third tiers with nine teams.
“I wouldn’t think we would have 10 in Division 2 next year,” NFL boss Peter McDougall said.
“I think we would just go with two nines and have the bye. I don’t think that is going to be too big an issue.”
The Leader understands travel was a key factor in the Turtles’ decision to pursue a switch to the NFL.
The club played against teams based in Albert Park, Burwood and Doveton this year, the latter more than an 80km round trip from its Eltham College base.
In Division 3, the Turtles would face trips to Truganina, Ringwood, Hawthorn and Surrey Hills.
Should Eltham Collegians be admitted to NFL Division 3, it would compete against nearby clubs such as Panton Hill, South Morang, Laurimar and Mernda.
McDougall said a special general meeting would be held tonight where clubs would “vote to accept them or not”.
“This is only another stage in the process,” he said.
“If they elected to accept them, they have got to go to AFL Victoria and to the ammos. There’s a bit more to go yet.
“Tonight is not the end of the process.”
The Turtles have been part of the VAFA since 1986 and have featured in Division 2 for the past decade.
Earlier this year, the club issued a ‘call to arms’ when it was facing the prospect of forfeiting games due to a player shortage.
While it avoided that fate, Eltham Collegians finished the campaign with a 1-17 record, claiming its sole win of the year against Emmaus St Leos in Round 11.
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