Stay or go? Wandin and Pakenham make calls on future

Outer East Football Netball competition ladder leaders Wandin and Pakenham have made calls on their future directions ahead of the league transfer deadline.

Wandin is undefeated this season.

Decision time has arrived for Outer East Football Netball clubs.

Under recently revised AFL Victoria guidelines, clubs looking to move leagues ahead of next season have until June 30 to lodge an application.

It’s understood Pakenham submitted an application to move to West Gippsland league.

Officer is believed to have done the same.

Belgrave, after considering its future, did not apply to move competitions.

While Upwey Tecoma last week revealed its intention to seek a transfer to the strong Eastern league, fellow OEFN Premier Division club Wandin may stay put for now.

Eastern league approached Wandin earlier this season asking if it would like to fill the hole left by Doncaster, which went into recess.

Wandin was torn; hesitant to leave because of its connection to netball, but also driven by an ambition to play in a higher level of football.

On Sunday, Wandin coach Nick Adam said the club was concerned about the viability of the competition but its connection to its netball program “was too important”.

“We’ve been really open the last month that our netball is too important a part of our culture,’’ he said.

“It’s been something that’s significant for us for 20 years and it’s probably as strong as it’s ever been in terms of the connection between football and netball and the environment it creates.

“Having a women’s football side the past three years has only strengthened our resolve around the importance of women’s competitions within our football netball club.”

Wandin is undefeated this season — 11-0 — after overpowering rivals Woori Yallock by 24 points on Saturday.

Pakenham, which sits on top of the Division 1 ladder, cited travel as a reason to leave OEFN.

“The Outer East has been terrific but it’s just the travel factor,’’ Lions coach Justin Stanton said. “The players will travel anywhere, that’s not an issue. It’s supporters.’’

Clubs looking to leave have applied to AFL Victoria, which will go over their applications before alerting OEFN.

OEFN then has until July to meet with the clubs as part of the process.