New Western Region Football League chief executive Ritchie Hinton said Deer Park and St Albans are still considered important parts of the league despite their wishes to move competitions.
The league this week announced that it was appealing against AFL Victoria’s decision to allow St Albans and Deer Park to move to the Essendon District Football League.
“Following on from previous updates regarding the objection of Deer Park and St Albans’ application to transfer to the Essendon District Football League, the WRFL board has opted to exercise its right to go through the AFL Victoria appeals process after both objections to transfer were dismissed,” the league said in a statement.
“The appeal will be heard by an AFL Victoria Appeals Panel at a yet to be determined date.”
Earlier this month, AFL Victoria dismissed the Western Region Football League’s objection to Deer Park and St Albans leaving the competition and joining the EDFL.
As reported by Star Weekly, the two clubs had applied to join the EDFL for 2023, which was supported by the EDFL board.
The WRFL decided to exercise its right to go through the AFL Victoria objection process.
AFL Victoria said the panel was satisfied that the Deer Park and St Albans football club moves were consistent with the considerations of the club transfer process, being the geographic nature of the leagues, league viability, community development and future growth of the leagues concerned.
Hinton said they would love both clubs to stay in the WRFL.
“We view those teams as an important parts of the WRFL,” he said.
“We felt like we owe it to the clubs and ourselves to take every opportunity we can to restate our position.
“We think they are obviously WRFL clubs and the future is with us.
“We’re following the process laid out for us and hopefully get the outcome it deserves.”
New Deer Park coach Heath Scotland said the club wanted to challenge themselves in a new competition, while St Albans vice-president Bekim Muhtari said it was a new beginning for the club.
Tara Murray
