A local club has helped a rival side keep its “core” players on the eve of the 2023 season

A local club is assisting a rival that won’t field a side in 2023 with the hope to hand its loaned players back next year. Here’s the latest.

SFNL football Semi-final: South Mornington v Hallam. South Mornington players are dejected. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A Southern league club has thrown a rival a lifeline to keep footballers on the park.

Cerberus will not field a Division 4 senior side in 2023 but its remaining core of players will continue in the competition at South Mornington.

The two clubs and league met late last week to scope out a plan.

The additional Cerberus players now allow South Mornington to field a Thirds side.

The Thirds side will be called Cerberus/South Mornington and will wear South Mornington jumpers with a Cerberus logo or a Cerberus jumper if there is a clash.

The inbound players are permitted to play in any grade provided all three sides are filled.

Home matches will be split between South Mornington and Cerberus’ home venue.

Division 4 now has a bye in place of Cerberus.

A pleased Tigers’ president Lachlan Belltowers explained how the merge took place.

“I got a call from Jason (Grivas), who's the president there,” he said.

“He basically said they were struggling, and they can’t field a side and is there any possibility that we could join and make a side out of that.

“As it so happened, we were thinking about starting a Thirds side, we just thought if we got injuries it might not be worth it but with their additional blokes, it makes it worth it.

“It started with a phone call and it wasn’t long ago either, maybe two or three weeks ago.”

South Mornington will field three sides this year. Picture: Valeriu Campan

South Mornington has no intention to steal its incoming Cerberus players, instead describing the proposition of those players returning to a full side in 2024 as “perfect”.

“The idea is for them to keep a core and it gives us additional depth,” he said.

“If they get a side up next year, well, perfect – that’s brilliant for everyone and that doesn’t annoy us.

“It might take away our Thirds but I think it will grow and we will get one anyway by just having the side this year.”

Cerberus and Southern Football Netball League have been contacted for comment.