Another Mornington Peninsula league club has shown interest in lodging a Southern league side

A Mornington Peninsula league club has followed stablemates Langwarrin and Edithvale-Aspendale in showing interest in fielding a Southern league side. Here are the details.

Picture: Valeriu Campan

Another Mornington Peninsula league club is showing interest in lodging a side in the Southern league.

Division 2 club Pearcedale is “pretty keen” to lodge a Thirds side in the Southern league in 2024 to accommodate its growing numbers.

The Dales fielded a senior, reserves and under-19s side in 2023 as well as a women’s side.

The interest from Pearcedale follows Langwarrin and Edithvale-Aspendale last month.

Club president Jeff McGuiness says keeping players on the park is the reason the Dales are interested.

“Just numbers, we want to make sure everyone keeps playing rather than have people miss out on playing a game,” he says.

“We can develop more kids playing and keep our own rather than them leave and go somewhere else.”

Pearcedale joins Langwarrin and Edithvale-Aspendale keen on fielding a Thirds side. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The introduction of Friday night matches were a hit in the Southern league in 2023.

McGuiness says the Dales – if they are to join – will look to play under lights.

“Friday night footy, I think that will be the way to go,” he says.

“At the moment we’ve got our senior, development and under-19s squads already, we already have a women’s squad and next year we might even have two women’s sides.

“Friday night just frees up a ground to make sure we can fit everyone in.”

Pearcedale has until February to lodge its official application but McGuiness says it’s “pretty keen” on following through with its interest.

With the current interest in the Thirds competition, it’s understood a second division is likely to be added.