SFNL: Cranbourne, Skye and Chelsea Heights make MPFNL call

After a calling of interest from the MPFNL, three Southern league clubs have publicly made a call on their future. See the latest details.

Southern league Division 1 Grand Final: Cheltenham v Cranbourne. Cranbourne players celebrate their win. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Reigning Southern league Division 1 premier Cranbourne will lodge another formal expression of interest to the Mornington Peninsula Football league for season 2024.

A sub-committee made a presentation to players and members on Thursday night with the general consensus of the room being in favour of its latest application.

The expression of interest follows those in 2018 and 2021.

Of those applications, one was taken to AFL Victoria on appeal and the other was withdrawn by Cranbourne before MPFNL clubs voted.

The Eagles’ junior teams play in the South East Junior Football League against MPFNL clubs and feel it “perfectly” supports their desire to play in the senior competition.

“We align perfectly with MPFNL through our juniors,” Cranbourne president Terry Gleeson said.

“We have always considered ourselves geographically in that area too, you have Devon Meadows down the road and Pearcedale is not that far away.”

Gleeson said the Eagles were “very happy” with the Southern league and if unsuccessful would return to their current post.

Cranbourne legend Marc Holt was on the sub-committee that presented to the players and members. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Cranbourne is inclusive of potentially six SFNL clubs planning to lodge an expression of interest.

However, while geographically appropriate, both Chelsea Heights and Skye will remain in the SFNL.

“Skye is fully committed to remain in the SFNL as it offers a great point of difference in the local area,” Club president Michael Kane said.

“Our club has aspirations to become a Division 1 club in coming years and is fully committed to growing our clubs awareness and further develop all programs to make us a powerhouse.

“We wish those are applying the very best with their applications, and we will be closely watching their performance both on and off field to see how they measure up.”

SFNL chief executive Lee Hartman said while there has been MPFNL interest from some clubs, others have indicated that they will stay.

The expressions of interest have, at this stage, not forced the league to access its current divisional structure.

“We have commitments from several clubs that they will be staying, we will see who express interest and go from there, (it’s) too early to discuss divisional make ups for 2024,” he said.