Outer East Football League blocks Kinglake move, set to vote on new club
The Outer East Football League has denied Kinglake’s request to return to the Northern league and will vote on welcoming a new club itself for 2023.
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The Outer East Football Netball League has denied Kinglake’s request to move leagues.
The Lakers want to move to the Northern Football League for the 2023 season but could be forced to wait 12 months after being knocked back by the OEFNL board this week.
Outer East clubs will also have the chance to vote on a new arrival for 2023, while the league’s salary cap and player points have been approved.
The league’s board voted unanimously to block Kinglake under the constitution, which states member clubs must provide 12 months written notice.
It is understood Kinglake voted in favour of the constitution and signed a memorandum of understanding earlier this season and have not submitted any written application to leave.
The club has until October 31 to declare its intentions for the 2024 season.
Last week Northern league clubs voted to approve expansion and permit Kinglake’s return but that may now be pushed back to next season.
With the Outer East determined to hold Kinglake to its agreement, the league is also set to welcome a new club for 2023.
Hallam has applied to join from the Southern Football Netball League.
The Hawks would be entered into the second tier Division 1 competition if approved, creating an eight-team fixture and removing the bye.
The club finished third in the SFNL Division 4 competition this season, winning an elimination final over South Mornington before bowing out in the preliminary final to eventual premier Lyndhurst.
Hallam’s reserves won the minor premiership but crashed out of the finals in straight sets.
If permitted entry, the Hawks would align with an existing, independent netball club and partner with South-East Junior league club Berwick North.
Under the league constitution, member clubs will vote on the application with more than 50 per cent of votes needed for approval.
A special general meeting will be held on October 5.
MEDAL: NARRE WARREN VICE-CAPTAIN WINS LEAGUE B&F
LEADER: GET YOUR OUTER EAST FOOTY NEWS HERE
DIV 3: ROUSING REV-UP DOES THE JOB FOR POWELLTOWN
Meanwhile, Division 2 premier Powelltown has decided not to apply for promotion to Division 1 and no club has applied to be relegated.
Outer East has also confirmed its salary cap and player points structure for 2023.
Premier Division clubs will have $105,000 at their disposal next season, while Division 1 has been allocated $90,000 and Division 2 $75,000.
All clubs across the three divisions will have 46 player points.
CLUB PRESIDENTS GREEN LIGHT NORTHEN EXANSION
Kinglake is one step closer to a Northern Football League return.
Northern league club presidents voted to approve the Lakers’ shift from the Outer East Football Netball League at a special general meeting on Tuesday night.
The club hopes to join the NFNL for the 2023 season but will first need to gain approval from the OEFNL.
The Outer East board will meet on Monday night to make a decision.
As Kinglake did not give the league a minimum notice of intent, it could hold the club for another season.
Lakers members voted in favour of the move earlier this season, which would see them return to the league it left in 2007.
Whether it be 2023 or 2024, Kinglake would step into the NFL Division 3 competition.
It would create a nine-team league, taking the NFNL closer to a desired 10-10-10 structure.
It would also ensure a more equitable fixture after some teams were given more games against strugglers Reservoir and Lalor than others this year.
Kinglake won the Outer East Division 2 minor premiership this season but lost the grand final on Saturday, going down by 10 points to Powelltown.
The club’s reserve grade also lost the grand final, beaten by Warburton Millgrove.
SHIFT: KINGLAKE BEGINS PROCESS TO JOIN NORTHERN
LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE
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While the Lakers have not won a OEFNL premiership, they have now finished runner-up four times; 2009, 2015, 2016 and 2022.
Kinglake was well represented in the Division 2 Team of the Year with five players named, including top recruits Matt Coen and Leigh Gilbert.
Coen, Gilbert, Mason McAllister, Ben White and Damian Pywell all earned honours, while Andrew Fairchild was named coach.
Justin Banbury won the reserve grade league best-and-fairest.
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