WRFL: Deer Park and St Albans see proposed EDFL moves denied

The WRFL board has made a decision on two clubs exploring a move to a neighbouring competition.

Two Western Region Football League clubs who attempted to leave the competition could be set to stay.

Deer Park and St Albans’ bids to move to the Essendon District Football League (EDFL) for the 2023 season have been denied by the WRFL board.

Opposition clubs were informed of the decision in an email on Wednesday morning.

“Following on from a previous update and in regards to the club transfer applications of St Albans and Deer Park, the WRFL Board has opted to exercise its right to go through the AFL Victoria objection process,” the email said.

“More information will be provided in due course.”

It’s understood both clubs will now appeal to AFL Victoria.

An AFL Victoria document, available online says, “if the current affiliated body (league) disputes the proposed transfer within 10 days of being notified by AFL Victoria, both affiliated bodies will be provided with the procedure for resolving the dispute and AFL Victoria will make a decision in relation to the proposed transfer as soon as practicable”.

When Deer Park announced its intentions to seek a move to the EDFL, outgoing coach Mark McGoldrick said the club was hoping the move would help attract more junior players.

“We’re 15km away from the EDFL competition,” McGoldrick said.

“Some kids might not want to play against their mates in the WRFL. It give us a point of difference.

“There’s still a lot of water to go under the bridge.”

Deer Park and St Albans were contacted for further comment.