Expanded SFLW competition forced to find a new format after swelling to 18 teams
The SFL’s women’s competition has so many teams this season it has been a fight for competition organisers to find the right format. Here’s how they’ve done it.
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IN a landmark decision by the SFL executive, its new-look 18-team women’s competition has been split into three divisions this season to accommodate new teams, including sides from TSL and Old Scholars clubs.
Each division consists of six teams that will play each other at least twice in the home-and-away series, with the top four going into the finals and a premier crowned in each.
The five southern TSL clubs have teams in the three-tiered SFLW but not all of them have gone to division one.
The Clarence, Glenorchy, Kingborough and North Hobart teams went into division 1 with Claremont and South East Suns.
Lauderdale’s team has been placed in division two with Brighton, Huonville, Lindisfarne, The Port and University.
Division three consists of Claremont 2, South East Suns 2, New Norfolk, Hutchins, OHA and St Virgil’s.
The SFL will consider whether to keep the three-division system in 2022 or go to a two-tiered promotion and relegation system.
There will be no promotion and relegation under the three-division format.
A meeting of the SFL executive this week thrashed out the new format.
“We understand that this decision might not please all clubs, but we have tried to put the game first,” said SFL president Russell Young.
“In the time we had to explore all possible models, work with the new clubs, and continue to manage the original member clubs, the three-tier model was favoured for 2021 with the plan to review the model at the end of the season to determine the best model for 2022 and beyond.
“It has been a real challenge to bring in clubs from three different competitions and the SFL appreciates the collaborative effort of clubs to achieve this outcome.”
The SFLW D1 premier will play the winner of the NTFA and NWFL play-off in a state grand final at North Hobart Oval on September 19.
Clubs will have their first look at the draft roster on Friday.
Tasmanian footy first on the cards
TASMANIAN football could have a relegation and promotion competition for the first time in its history this season.
The SFL is seriously considering bringing it in for the SFLW this year, with the league expanded to 17 teams to be split between eight division one clubs and nine in division two.
Old Scholars clubs Hutchins, St Virgil’s and OHA will enter women’s teams for the first time, while Glenorchy and Clarence are returning from the TSLW and Lauderdale is re-entering women’s football.
SFL president Russell Young said the promotion and relegation system was being discussed.
“It is definitely on the table,” Young said.
“This is going to be our first year and there are going to be hiccups through the year so it is definitely on the table as you wouldn’t want to see a dominant team in division two and a struggling side in division one.
“Common sense says we should look at that.”
He said promotion wouldn’t be mandatory but would be offered to both division two grand finalists.
It comes as AFL Tasmania announced the new structure for women’s football in the state following the demise of the TSLW due to a lack of clubs.
Head of AFL Tasmania Damian Gill said: “While disbanding the TSLW competition was not an easy decision, we need to facilitate sustainable competitions.
“The new model means there will be more senior women’s teams than ever before with the SFLW and NTFAW both expanding, and it will give more players the opportunity to compete
with the best female footballers in the state each week.”
The structure includes a Tasmanian Women’s All Star representative series in June between the three regions and an under-20s rep game between the north and south.
The season will be concluded with a state grand final, which this year will be hosted by the SFLW.
The SFLW champions will take on the winner of a clash between the premiers of the NTFAW and NWFLW leagues on September 12.
The hosts for the state grand final will be rotated each season.
EXPANDING COMPETITIONS
Teams competing in the three women’s competitions in 2021:
SFLW
Brighton
Claremont
Clarence*
Glenorchy*
Huonville
Hutchins**
Kingborough
Lauderdale**
Lindisfarne
New Norfolk
North Hobart
OHA**
South East Suns
St Virgils**
The Port
University
(Two-tier structure to be confirmed)
NTFAW
Bridgenorth
Deloraine**
Evandale
George Town
Hillwood**
Launceston*
Longford**
Meander Valley Suns
Old Launcestonians
Old Scotch
South Launceston
Scottsdale
NWFLW
Devonport
Latrobe
Penguin
Wynyard
Ulverstone
*Denotes new to competition (moved from TSLW)
**Denotes new teams in 2021
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