By Russell Bennett
AFL South East’s promotion-relegation plan involving MPNFL and SEFNL clubs for 2019 appears to have hit a serious snag following a meeting between 22 MPNFL clubs mid-last week.
The Gazette understands that the 22 clubs met to agree on a motion to create a new rule within their competition set-up that effectively means 75 per cent of the total clubs in the MPNFL must vote in favour of any changes to the divisional structure currently in place for 2018.
So, the SEFNL clubs wanting to join their MPNFL counterparts for divisional footy in 2019 must be met with at least a 75 per cent approval vote from those 22 clubs.
It is understood that 17 clubs voted to endorse the new rule, with five against.
Speaking to the Gazette in the wake of the developments, Beaconsfield president Troy Robinson said of his club: “We’re looking at where the right fit for us is if it’s not divisional footy (through AFL South East).
“We’ve been steered in the wrong direction and we’d be lying to say we haven’t looked at our options.
“We (the SEFNL clubs) need to give AFL South East a real timeline to see what 2019 will look like for us.”
In a statement provided to the Gazette, AFL South East Region General Manager John Anderson said: “We understand the frustration of the SEFNL clubs because there has been a reluctance from some MPNFL clubs to share our vision, but we can assure them that we have their best interests at heart.
“Having the SEFNL clubs play divisional football in 2019 remains a top priority for AFL South East.”
In addition, Anderson said: “AFL South East has been committed to, and remains committed to, a three-division structure that will see the SEFNL clubs join forces with the 22 MPNFL in 2019.
“The vote taken by the MPNFL clubs does not change our resolve for a regional divisional structure, however we have advised SEFNL clubs directly that we will explore other options to achieve a positive outcome for them in 2019.”
