SEFNL clubs Beaconsfield and Officer declare they want to join AFL Yarra Ranges

BEACONSFIELD and Officer are set to join the AFL Yarra Ranges in 2019 after the two clubs became the first to declare where their futures lie.

Beaconsfield champion Scott Meyer flies for a mark.

BEACONSFIELD and Officer are set to join the AFL Yarra Ranges in 2019 after the two clubs became the first to declare where their futures lie.

Both clubs have written to AFL Yarra Ranges expressing their desire to join the competition from the end of this year when the South East Football Netball League winds up.

AFL Yarra Ranges general manager Aaron Bailey said the future of the remaining SEFNL clubs would be known in the coming weeks.

However, clubs cannot officially apply to join AFL Yarra Ranges until August 1 under AFL Victoria bylaws.

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Officer president Nick McLennan said there was unanimous support for the Kangaroos to join AFL Yarra Ranges.

“Once people came to understand what it was we were looking to do and the divisional structure, there was overarching support, particularly once they realised the travel wasn’t going to be an issue,” McLennan said.

“There is an overarching view it (SEFNL) is not sustainable anymore and people have come to terms with the fact a change had to be made.”

Cranbourne celebrates its 2016 premiership.

Cranbourne has expressed its interest in joining the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League but could yet join AFL Yarra Ranges if MPNFL clubs vote against them joining.

Beaconsfield president Troy Robinson said keeping the Eagles’ football and netball together was a driving force behind the decision.

“(It was) unanimous by all the playing group, it was heavily endorsed … we were overwhelmingly supported in pursuing that as the direction to go forward,” Robinson said.

Bailey said it was hoped the league would be able to release details on a new competition structure, including salary cap, player points system and netball competitions, in August.

But ladder positions won’t be the only factor in determining what division clubs play in beyond this year.

“Where clubs end up will be not just where they finish on the ladder, it will be to do with their junior development programs, their structure off-field, financial viability, long-term growth,” Bailey said.

“Where teams finish is only going to be part of the decision for where they start for next year.

“We’ve got to speak to each club and get an indication of where they believe their best fit is as well.”

Bailey said AFL Yarra Ranges would look at the divisional structure for 2019 when each SEFNL club had revealed its preferred destination.

“Where teams are positioned in divisions won’t be decided until after the end of finals,” he said.

“In terms of what divisions clubs play, that will be decided once we’ve spoken to all the clubs, both Yarra Ranges and the SEFNL teams who have decided to come across.”