Southern bombshell: Oakleigh District applies to join the Eastern league

Southern league mainstay Oakleigh District has made a bid to switch to go to the Eastern Football Netball League.

Oakleigh District celebrates its 2015 Division 2 premiership.

Southern Football Netball League mainstay Oakleigh District has applied to join the Eastern league.

The Oaks, who finished second-bottom in Division 1 this year with a 1-11 record, surprised SFNL officials with their decision to look to Eastern.

“We’ve only been made aware in the last 48 hours … so we’ll be looking to meet with Oakleigh District to understand the situation better,’’ Southern CEO Lee Hartman said this afternoon.

He said he had “no idea’’ it was in the works.

It’s believed Eastern is proposing to put the Oaks into Division 2, its third tier, if they are accepted.

Eastern clubs will vote on the affiliation bids of 2021 AFL Outer East Premier ladder leader Beaconsfield – tipped to start in Division 1 – and Oakleigh District late in the month.

District president Miles Jones confirmed the club had applied to join Eastern, adding the move was “still in the very early stages’’.

“We’re in the early part of it,’’ he said. “See how we go.’’

Asked why the club was looking to transfer leagues, Jones said: “I don’t think it’s necessary to answer that one at this stage. It’s still in the early stages, as I say. We have made an application as the first stage of this process. We’ll wait and see how it eventuates.’’

He said the Oaks had informed the Southern league.

In a social media post last night to members, supporters and players, Oakleigh District confirmed the application to enter in 2022.

“This application is in the early stages and further information will be provided in due course,’’ it said.

“The club’s long-term sustainability continues to be the number one priority.’’

Oakleigh District coach Paul Howroyd at the huddle this year.

Former player Garry Embleton was quick to respond.

“I have a history with the club dating back about 1980 and hold it in high regard,’’ he said.

“I also have experience at league administration and board level so comments aren’t without knowledge and experience.

“ODFC are (with absolute respect) a middle of the road club with long history on the SFL and its predecessors.

“It has a lot of local rivalries that draw a bit of a crowd, but now propose going somewhere that they will be travelling for miles to play teams no one can give a hoot about them playing. Rips up history and local attachment to be a less than middle of the road club in another competition. Grass is rarely that much greener on the other side. Ridiculous.’’

Oakleigh District has been in Southern since it was formed in 1993, having previously been affiliated with the South East Suburban and Federal leagues.

In 2015 the Oaks won the Division 2 premiership to claim their first flag since 1958.

The Oaks’ application to join the Eastern league comes as it was also revealed on Tuesday that Park Orchards and East Burwood would be promoted to Premier Division and Division 2 respectively for 2022.

More to come.