Supporters call for change after horror start to WFNL season

Officials from the Western Football Netball League have failed to address a weekend of horror results in a newly restructured competitions and questions about what the future could hold.

The new WFNL logo for the 2024 season.

Western Football Netball League officials have refused to comment on any further potential changes to the league’s structure.

This masthead approached the league for comment about the possibility of returning to three divisions after a weekend of horror results.

To start the Division 2 season, there were several games across various levels which recorded blowout margins.

We asked the league the following questions on Monday afternoon, which were not answered.

• How will the league continue to support struggling clubs?
  
• Could the return of division 2 and 3 be looked at the end of the season?
  
• Is the WFNL worried about clubs not fielding teams?
  

The league said it had “no comment” to make at this stage.

And more big margins could be on the way with this weekend with several fixtures looking to be lopsided.

Premiership favourite Albion hosts the Western Rams, who are on the state’s longest losing streak in Victoria local footy, while fellow contender Sunshine welcomes Sunshine Heights who played in Division 3 last season.

Heights underwent a major list overhaul in the off-season along with a coaching shift.

EARLIER

Supporters are demanding wholesale changes to Melbourne’s suburban Western Football Netball League after the first round of matches was marred by a series of horribly one-sided results.

In one game of senior football at the weekend the final margin was 252 points after Sunshine completely outplayed North Sunshine.

It was one of several games across various levels at the weekend which recorded blowout margins.

In 2024, the WFNL has adopted a new two-division structure after the bottom two tiers were merged at the end of last season.

It has seen a 14-team division two competition created and the weekend’s opening round gave fans a look at what could be set to come throughout the season.

Just two of the seven senior games played were decided by under 60 points.

Along with Sunshine’s victory other margins included 164, 112, 92 and 65 points.

Since the weekend’s results, a petition has emerged online calling for change.

“The WNFL (WRFL) are deliberately forcing lower category recreational football clubs to extinction,” the petition said.

“The heartless decision to take away the 3rd Division in 2024 will shut the doors for multiple clubs. Some who have been in our local community for over 70 years.

“Why is the League deliberately killing the future pathways for kids in our local area?”

The author of the petition goes onto suggest two “solutions” for the remainder of the 2024 season.

They say the fixture could be played out before the bottom seven sides have their own Division 3 “finals”.

Or “split the divisions into 3 now and rectify the poor choices made while in panic mood at the start of the year”.

“Save the clubs of the west,” the author said.

“If this change is not made, we will see multiple clubs not finish off the season. How can young men who play socially stay motivated to play the game they love week in week out knowing there walking into games were they are humiliated and not have the opportunity to feel enjoyment through sport.

“How are we to expect these men to consistently attend Tuesday (and) Thursday trainings after long hours at work through the cold winter nights knowing that there is nothing enjoyable to look forward to.”

The petition asks for the changes to be made before the end of April.

The WFNL has been contacted for comment.