Sorrento’s Troy Schwarze is worried the new division structure will drive players away from football

SORRENTO premiership coach Troy Schwarze fears extra travel to matches will drive players away from football.

Troy Schwarze enjoys premiership celebrations after his team defeated Frankston Bombers in this year’s Nepean grand final.

SORRENTO premiership coach Troy Schwarze believes the Sharks can match it with the likes of Frankston YCW, Pines and Mt Eliza in MPNFL Division 1 next year.

But he’s no fan of the new divisional structure, believing the added travel time to matches will drive players away from the game.

Schwarze said the loss of local derbies against Rye and Dromana was a blow for Sorrento.

Sorrento will line up in Division 1 against Nepean clubs Frankston Bombers and Rosebud as well as Bonbeach, Edithvale-Aspendale, Frankston YCW, Mornington, Mt Eliza, Pines and Seaford.

“We’ll definitely be competitive, if we can keep everyone together,’’ Schwarze, who won’t be involved in football next season after retiring after Sorrento’s grand final win last month, said.

“My biggest worry is that, long-term, I think the club’s going to struggle in terms of Under 19s, and travelling to Edi-Asp and Bonbeach and the year after if it’s Berwick and Cranbourne and Pakenham I think we’re going to lose blokes from playing. That’s my biggest concern.

“If you’ve got to travel an hour and a half to get to a game, that’s going to be a whole day … unfortunately I think we’re going to suffer the most because we are the furthest away. Our Under 19s are going to have to leave at 7.30am to get to a game. And they’re not going to do it.’’

Sorrento’s ex-AFL players Luke Tapscott and Chris Dawes have recommitted and will line up with the Sharks in 2018.

But recently appointed Mornington coach Simon Goosey gave the new divisional structure the thumbs-up. “I like it. I reckon it’s fantastic, we need it,’’ he said.

Frankston Bombers coach Beau Muston.

Frankston Bombers coach Beau Muston is a fan of the concept to.

“To be honest, I think it’s great for both competitions,’’ he said.

“I think last season you could have a look at the draw and you could probably pencil some wins in for the year, whereas looking at Division 1 I look at the sides that are in there and I reckon we’ve got to be playing well every week to get the win.

“I think that’s exciting, it’s a new challenge for our group, playing against some sides we haven’t played against before. We’re super excited.’’

FRANKSTON Bombers are hopeful of signing out-of-contract Richmond defender Jake Batchelor. He played in the Bombers’ 2009 flag win.