The Western Region Football League will revert to a 10-team division 1 competition next year with no relegation at the end of the present season.
The league will also promote the division 2 premier, removing the need for a bye next season.
Division 1 dropped from 10 teams to nine on the eve of this season when 2014 division 2 premier Parkside decided it could not field a competitive side and subsequently dropped back to division 3.
WRFL football operations manager David Newton said the league’s preference was 10 teams in division 1.
“Our bylaws have always specified that the best structure is 10 teams,” he said.
“Based on a couple of things that happened in the off-season, that didn’t work out in 2015.
“The feedback from our clubs on the nine teams hasn’t been negative, but … we think the 10-team competition is the best, with everyone playing each other twice.”
The race for promotion from division 2 to division 1 is one of the most closely contested in league history.
Six of the eight teams are still vying for finals and the premiership race is wide open.
The division 2 premier has not been promoted since Yarraville-Seddon won the division in 2012.
Glenorden won division 2 in 2013 but opted not to be promoted.
“Not being promoted has never been an option for clubs,” Newton said.
“Our bylaws and rules state that promotion and relegation will always occur, although in extreme circumstances the board can look at an individual case and decide whether that’s necessary or relevant based on those teams.
“The clubs won’t have options unless the board deems that something significant has to occur in regards to promotion or relegation.”
