Radical plan to make MPFNL ‘more competitive’

A leading Mornington Peninsula league coach has called for a radical change to the league’s structure, including increasing Division 1 to a 12-team competition.

MPFNL action. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

A bit of short-term pain will reap long-term gain.

That’s the firm opinion of respected Pines coach Paddy Swayn, who believes it’s time to overhaul the divisional structure of the Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League to make the league more competitive.

Among his proposal is to increase Division 1 to 12 teams by 2027 — it’s currently 10 — and have 10 teams in Division 2 (it’s currently 12).

Swayn said it would make the top flight “super competitive’’ while giving middle of the road clubs in Division 2 more of a chance to play finals and vie for a premiership.

“We go to 11 sides in 2026 with a bye, which means someone’s going to have a two-week bye,’’ Swayn said.

“And then in 2027, Division 1 becomes 12 teams, you bring up the premier from 2026 and you don’t relegate.

“I reckon that’s got massive merit, you know, to make those comps more even. You wouldn’t get any argument from any division two team.

“I want that conversation together.’’

Paddy Swayn says it’s time clubs and the league looked outside of the box.

Swayn said recent history backs up his plan to keep the strongest teams in Division 1.

He says Frankston Bombers were stiff to be relegated last year, despite winning five games, and they have dominated Division 2 this season (they’re currently 15-0).

Similarly, Edithvale-Aspendale was relegated in 2022 — and then in 2024 it won 19 straight in Division 2 to win the flag.

“It kills the Div 2 teams,’’ Swayn said.

“With salary cap and points it makes it really hard for middle of the road Div 2 teams to play finals every year.’’

This season in Division 1, Red Hill is in the relegation hot seat.

“Red Hill would be seriously stiff to go down,’’ Swayn said.

“And I reckon Division 2 will suffer again because it’ll bring pretty much the same scenario as Bombers this year. The Bombers were really stiff to go down. Winning five games and just percentage. From a Divvy 2 point of view, Tyabb and Rye and Hastings and Karingal, how do they see a chance to go, how do we play finals in the next three years?

“Every year a good Division 1 side goes down and pretty much belts them.’’

Swayn said it was time clubs and the league looked outside of the box.

“We’ve always done it that way, well, you’ve got to be prepared to have a look at it critically and logically and go, what’s best for both comps?,’’ he said.

“Or the other option is to bring in more teams and make three divisions.’’