Northern Football League stars keen to play somewhere in 2020
After the Northern Football League’s decision to cancel its season, two of the competition’s biggest names have put their hands up to play in a rival league this season.
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AFL premiership winner and Eltham star Brent Macaffer says he’s open to any offers from clubs in rival leagues to play in 2020.
Macaffer is one of several big name Northern Football League players facing a season on the sidelines after the competition cancelled the season earlier this month.
The NFL Division 2 best-and-fairest winner has lodged a clearance to Essendon District club Airport West is its season goes ahead.
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“It would be a kick in the teeth if these other leagues get up and going,” Macaffer said.
“I’ve spoken to the powers that be at Eltham and our club stance, which is fantastic, is we’ve got no dramas if guys want to go play elsewhere.
“Absolutely I’d be keen to go play somewhere for nine games, there’s a club out there that wants me to play, I’ll put my hand up.”
However, even if he does move this year, Macaffer has pledged his allegiance to the Panthers for 2021.
“I love the Eltham Football Club, I love the people there, I live here, my kids are growing up coming to watch games,” he said.
“I’m 100 per cent be at Eltham in 2021. I just want to play football and enjoy it.”
Big names Matthew Dennis (Bundoora) and Ricky Dyson (Banyule) have already lodged permits to join clubs in other competitions and more could follow if leagues confirm return to play dates next week.
The league has said it will block any clearances until AFL Victoria announces a permit system for this season.
Greensborough’s Frank Rosbrook medallist Tom Bell said his phone had been running hot but he would only go to a club that was the right fit.
“If I got an opportunity to play somewhere this year, I’d be really keen if the right team came knocking,” he said.
“In saying that, I’m not just going to go and take the piss for nine games. I want to have an impact, I don’t just want to float in.
“I haven’t won a premiership in seven or eight years, so I’d like to go to a team that is fighting for a premiership.
“Then again, I have enjoyed my time to myself, it’s probably the first time since I was about 10 or even before that I’ve just been able to do nothing through the winter months.”
Bell is out of contract at Greensborough and has been in talks with the club about 2021.
While the NFL and Eastern Football League have abandoned their seasons, the four remaining metropolitan leagues – WRFL, EDFL, SFL and VAFA – will wait until next week to confirm their intentions.
Major country leagues such as Goulburn Valley, Ovens and Murray, Ballarat and Bendigo are also yet to make an official announcement.
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