Northern Football League club Parkside to vote on switch to Victorian Amateur Football Association

LOCAL FOOTY FIRST: The Northern Football League could be set to lose one of its clubs as it prepares to vote on a switch to the Victorian Amateur Football Association.

Generic AFL Sherrin football and football boots. sport /

THE Northern Football League appears set to lose one of its Division 3 clubs with Parkside investigating a return to the Victorian Amateur Football Association.

After months of speculation about their future, a notice on the Devils website confirmed the club would vote on a switch to the competition they left in 2002.

Parkside has called a special meeting of its members for Tuesday, August 26.

President Michael Sabelberg wrote the agenda would include a “presentation by the committee in relation to its submission to the VAFA requesting affiliation with their association from season 2015”.

The meeting will also feature a vote from club members on the recommendation.

It comes less than a week after Banyule announced its intention to leave the VAFA and join the NFL next season.

Parkside finished 2014 with a 1-15 record and percentage of 37.4.

Its campaign drew to a close with a 66-point loss against South Morang yesterday.

NFL chief executive Peter McDougall said the league was confident Parkside’s best option was to stay put.

“They’ve discussed their future with us and we’re aware that they’re considering their options to move to the VAFA,” McDougall said.

“Regardless of the number of teams in the division, we’d be disappointed to lose any club.”

McDougall said it was “up in the air” whether Division 3 would feature six, seven or eight teams next year.

“(Parkside) were more concerned about their ability to be competitive, their manpower off the field, ability to recruit and compete with other clubs,” he said.

Devils coach George Lattouf would not comment on the proposed league switch, but said he was proud of his players’ efforts this year.

“As a coach, my focus is on the playing group and trying to put two footy sides, seniors and reserves, on the ground the whole year,” Lattouf said.

“That was my focus, 100 per cent on that.

“Whatever was in the background, I let the club deal with that.”

Last month, the Leader revealed several clubs from across Melbourne had inquired about a move to the VAFA because of concerns regarding rising player payments.

VAFA chief executive Michael Sholly said the association needed to consider the viability of existing clubs when considering applications.

The VAFA and Sabelberg have been contacted for comment.