RDFL 2018: EDFL confirms talks with Sunbury Kangaroos regarding Riddell District Football League club’s potential switch

THE Essendon District Football League and Sunbury Kangaroos have held preliminary discussions regarding the club’s senior football future.

Sunbury Kangaroos take on Broadford in the RDFL on Saturday. Picture: Hamish Blair.

THE Essendon District Football League and Sunbury Kangaroos have held preliminary discussions regarding the club’s senior football future.

Speculation has mounted the Roos, who compete in the Riddell District Football League, could use their EDFL women’s side as a springboard to fielding men’s teams in the EDFL as soon as next year.

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Sunbury Kangaroos president Allan Walters stressed no decision had been made to leave the RDFL, but confirmed the topic had been broached in previous meetings between his club and the EDFL.

“All I can say is there are a lot of rumours going around that we are moving to the EDFL,” Walters said.

“It may have to be something we look at down the track.”

Walters was coy about a potential switch, initially offering a “no comment” but saying “yes” when asked if the club was considering its options.

“It’s something we will have to look at and whatever way the best option is, that’s where we’ll take our club,” he said.

EDFL boss Craig Armstead said discussions between the league and Sunbury Kangaroos had gone as far as the potential costs involved should they move.

The Roos are the only club the EDFL has spoken to about a potential switch next year and their addition would create the league’s favoured 10-10-8 structure.

“Because they have got a women’s team playing in our competition we talk to them about other issues,” Armstead said.

“As part of that conversation you have a chat about it but it is no more advanced than that at this point in time.”

Sunbury Kangaroos took on Broadford in the RDFL on Saturday but could be on the hop to the EDFL. Picture: Hamish Blair.

Walters said the club’s struggles to field netball teams would be a factor in any decision about its future.

Sunbury Kangaroos’ top side is winless in B Grade this year and the club is also 0-10 in C Grade.

“On the football side of things, everything is fine,” Walters said.

“Netball moving forward, we can’t guarantee we will get these sides. So it’s something we might have to look at.”

Armstead said there was “no mandatory requirement” for clubs to field netball teams in the EDFL’s fledgling competition.

“Because we are only taking small steps to start we need clubs who are going to want to be a part of it,” he said.

In 2015, RDFL clubs vetoed Kilmore’s proposed move to the Northern Football League, only for AFL Victoria to step in and give the switch the green light.

“I imagine there is some pretty significant financial considerations they have to work their way through as part of that,” Armstead said.