WFNL boss David Jennings confident of promising interleague return
The Western Football Netball League will return play interleague for the first time since 2019 next year. The boss reveals why he’s confident the very best will feature and the purpose it will serve.
Western
Don't miss out on the headlines from Western. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Western Football Netball League boss David Jennings has a clear goal in mind for his competition’s return to interleague in 2025.
In year two since its rebrand, dropping Region from the league name, the WFNL will take on the Southern Football Netball League on Saturday, May 17.
The event looms as a showcase with men’s, women’s and under-19 football games and a senior netball match to be played at a venue yet to be determined with the WFNL to play host.
“The first part is it’s integral to our brand, we’ve got to strengthen what we’re doing,” Jennings said.
“We want to instil a bit of pride back into the west. We know we’ve got the talent who will be able to help us do that.
“The Southern league take it very seriously and we will as well. It’s a fantastic opportunity for both leagues to showcase what they’re about.”
Jennings said player availability remained one of the biggest issues with interleague games in the past.
In previous games, the best players often haven’t taken part with supporters critical of their absence.
“We’ve already had 30 to 40 guys who have put their hand up to be involved,” he said.
“These are high quality players in our competition, guys who have been in AFL or VFL systems. We know there are going to be injuries and guys will need a rest, we believe we’ve got the depth of talent to help cover that.”
The WFNL last played an interleague game back in 2019 against country footy powerhouse, the Goulburn Valley league, and faced the SFNL back in 2014.
The league confirmed its coaches for the showpiece event on Tuesday night.
Parkside’s Chris Muratore will lead the senior men, Caroline Springs mentor Alex O’Shea was confirmed as the women’s coach and experienced junior coach Kirk Heberle will led the under-19s.
Rebecca Hicks will guide the netball side after leading Glen Orden’s netball program to six grand finals in 2024.
Another ex-AFL name on the way to WFNL
A second ex-AFL name has signed for a Western Football League club in the space of less than a week in a move which bolsters a side which reached a grand final just two years ago.
Brownlow medallist’s new role with local footy club
Tony Liberatore has jumped on board with a local footy club in Melbourne’s west in a new role. Here’s what he’ll do and why he’s having an immediate impact.