Tara Murray
The move of St Albans and Deer Park to the Essendon District Football League has hit a hurdle.
As previously reported by the Star Weekly, the EDFL approved the application of both sides to join the competition for next season.
The Western Region Football League had 10 business days to determine whether it would formally object to either or both applications.
A WRFL spokesperson told Star Weekly on Wednesday that the league had decided to exercise its right to go through the AFL Victoria objection process.
WRFL chief executive Matthew Duck had previously said the league is disappointed that the applications have been made from two valued clubs, but equally understand this is the community football landscape they operate in.
AFL Victoria will now make the decision on the future of the two clubs.
That was the case when Rupertswood, the most recent team to join the EDFL, tried to make the switch in late 2020. AFL Victoria later approved the move after a panel hearing after the Riddell District Football League objected to the move.
If both clubs join the EDFL it will mean there are 31 clubs with senior men’s teams. Neither club had women’s sides this year.
For the WRFL it would be a blow, with both sides in the competition’s top division. Deer Park, which won a seventh straight premiership in 2019, made the semi final this year, knocked out by grand finalists Werribee Districts.
St Albans finished in seventh with five wins.
The loss of those two teams would reduce the number of senior men’s clubs to 23.
St Albans said it was not going to comment until the process is completed, while Deer Park has been contacted for comment.
More to come.
