Northern Football League optimistic Laurimar and Reservoir will both field teams in Division 3 next year

THE NFL is confident Laurimar will become its newest senior club next year and “optimistic” about Reservoir’s chances of returning to the field.

Laurimar players Lochie Jamieson, Matt Carmichael, Brent Henry, Campbell Walker and Stevie Graeme with club president Alasdair Walker. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano.

THE Northern Football League is confident Laurimar will become its newest senior club next year and “optimistic” about Reservoir’s chances of returning to the field.

The Mustangs and Power have locked in coaches for 2017, with former Jacana mentor Aaron Collins signing on at Reservoir and Wayne Sharkie appointed at Laurimar.

NFL chief executive Peter McDougall said Laurimar was likely to have enough numbers to field senior and reserves teams in Division 3.

“All indications are that they will be right to go and they will have enough players,” McDougall said.

“It’s positive in regards to them.

“Seniors and reserves at this stage. You’ve got more time for them to work through the (under) 19s as to whether they field a team.

“We don’t ask the clubs for the nominations until late February, early March at the latest.

“They’ve got a bit of time up their sleeve for that one.”

Reservoir has been in recess this year after taking out the 2015 Division 3 premiership.

The club was crippled by an exodus of senior players and had made securing a senior coach its top priority.

“I met with them a month ago and there was some positive signs,” McDougall said.

“I keep hearing they’ve got quite a few players coming back.”

McDougall said the NFL was due to meet with Reservoir officials tonight.

“I’m fairly optimistic,” he said.

“I’m conscious of not getting too far ahead of ourselves at this stage.

“Once I catch up with (president) Steve (Bower) next Tuesday, I’ll have a better handle on how they’ve gone the last month as far as how many players etc.

“They’ve done a great job so far ... time will tell over the next few months to see whether they get over the line or not.”

The league has set a November deadline for both clubs in order to confirm next year’s fixtures.

“We’re looking at the start of November, prior to going into our fixturing process,” McDougall said.

The NFL boss said Division 3 was likely to be a nine-team competition if Reservoir and Laurimar both entered teams.

“The board would have to have a discussion but I think it would make sense that we just leave it at nine next year,” he said.

Watsonia will be promoted to Division 2 after winning last weekend’s grand final against Epping.