Southern league: Division 2 premiers Doveton Eagles ask out of Division 1

When the Doveton Eagles won their league’s Division 2 flag last year, they expected to be playing in the top grade for the first time. But now they have asked to be relegated. So how has their victory soured so fast?

They won the Division 2 premiership in 2019, but Doveton Eagles have asked to take the drop to Division 3 this year.

The club has been hard hit by an exodus of players since the grand final victory over Springvale Districts.

Late last week the Eagles told the Southern Football Netball League they did not have the players to be competitive in Division 1, and asked to be instead graded in Division 3.

The SFNL board discussed the issue last night.

League officials today called a meeting of all clubs to discuss the Eagles’ plight.

It will be held at RSEA Park, Moorabbin, on February 5, from 6.30pm.

The SFNL has already released fixtures for 2020, but with the Eagles struggling, the composition of the top two divisions remains up in the air.

Oakleigh District, which finished on the bottom of Division 1 last year and was relegated to Division 2, may be asked to stay up.

The same invitation may go to Heatherton, which was the wooden spooner in Division 2.

The Eagles have had a series of meetings in the past three months to try to consolidate their playing ranks.

Another meeting will come on January 29 to elect a new president and treasurer.

SFNL CEO Lee Hartman said this afternoon the league was committed to helping Doveton Eagles.

He said 2020 would be the club’s 40th year “and the last thing we want to see is the doors shut’’.

The Eagles were flying high after defeating Springvale Districts in last year’s Division 2 grand final.

“We’re calling all the presidents in and putting all the cards on the table as to where they’re at,’’ Hartman said.

“We’ll discuss it with the clubs and make a final decision then.

“We’ll ask the new Doveton Eagles executive to be elected on January 29 to come and speak on behalf of the club.

“There’s no determined outcomes at this stage. The board will make a decision after the presidents’ meeting.’’

Hartman said he had confidence in the Eagles’ administration, particularly with respected former president Jenny Davis tipped to return.

The Eagles’ loss of players began immediately after the grand final when a group of veterans announced their retirements.

Only a handful of premiership players remains at Power Rd.

Ahead of a “call to arms’’ on December 11, the club released a statement saying it had “gone through a rough time since winning the premiership only a matter of months ago’’.

“This club means a lot to a lot of people and going into our 40th year should be something we promote in a positive manner,’’ it said.

Richard Houston was appointed to replace premiership coach Clint Wilson, who has been instrumental in trying to keep players at the club.

Champion veteran Darryl Thomas is among those who have recommitted.