AFL OUTER EAST – 2020 AND BEYOND

The AFL Outer East Commission has released detailed information about the competition’s structure for 2020 and beyond, with details of each divisions make up, Female Football, Netball, Under 18’s and more included in a document sent to clubs from Region General Manager Aaron Bailey regarding the future of the region.

A statement about the league’s standing regarding the issue of a possible Northern region was also included. 

Mr Bailey indicated that the Outer East is expecting to be a 28 team competition in 2020 with Berwick Springs continuing its evolution. The club having committed to fielding three senior football sides and the full compliment of netball sides next season. The Titans will compete in the league’s Division One.

The Commission also indicated that they expect Riddell District club Broadford to be a part of the competition, after its application was ratified at a recent Special General Meeting. Mr Bailey said in his document that if successful the club will join Division Two.

“Broadford, if successful in their application, will join the Division Two model.”

“Broadford, who wear the traditional blue and white jumpers of the Kangaroos, will wear an Essendon style clash strip when they play Thornton Eildon. The Black jumper, with red sash is Broadford’s previous club jumper.”

In other promotion and relegation news, Healesville and Warburton Millgrove have been relegated from their respective divisions, whilst Doveton, Pakenham, Seville and Gembrook-Cockatoo have been promoted. 

Mr Bailey also mentioned that one Premier Division club has applied to be relegated, but this process is still ongoing. 

“We can confirm we have one application pending from a club to drop from Premier Division to Division One, with no decision able to be delivered until this matter is resolved. More information will be provided to clubs in due course, at the end of this process.”

Therefore the suggested structure of the AFL Outer East for 2020 looks like this ;

PREMIER DIVISION	DIVISION ONE	DIVISION TWO
Beaconsfield	Belgrave	Alexandra
Berwick	Berwick Springs (New)	Broadford (New – pending approval)
Cranbourne	Emerald	Kinglake
Doveton (Promoted)	Gembrook-Cockatoo (Promoted)	Powelltown
Narre Warren	Healesville (Relegated)	Thornton-Eildon
Olinda Ferny Creek	Monbulk	Warburton Millgrove (Relegated)
Pakenham (Promoted)	Mount Evelyn	Yarra Glen
Upwey-Tecoma	Officer	Yarra Junction
Wandin	Seville (Promoted)	Yea
Woori Yallock

The Salary Cap and Player Points for each division are as follows ;

Premier Division – $135,000 (18 Round Season) or $125,000 (16 Round Season) 39-44 Points

Division One – $110,000 and 44 Points

Division Two – $80,000 and 47 Points 

Mr Bailey explained that promotion and relegation within the Outer East will only occur in the top two divisions from 2020 onwards, unless clubs specifically apply to leave or enter into Division Two. 

“In Season 2020 promotion and relegation will occur between Premier and Division One, with one side being relegated and promoted. The bottom side in Division One will not be relegated in 2020, unless specifically requesting it.”

“Division Two will become a stand-alone division, with promotion into and out of this division by application only.”

“Division Two will be structured under a district league model. This will be reviewed each year but provides clubs on the border of our competition a sustainable competition model they can compete in against like(for like) clubs.”

Mr Bailey also said that the AFL Outer East will also continue to look at the possibility of a North Eastern standalone competition, working with the relevant leagues and clubs. 

“Following meetings with clubs both in and out of the Outer East competition, the commission firmly believes that there is a genuine desire and need for a competition through the North Eastern/Upper Goulburn Region.”

“We will continue to work with AFL Goulburn Murray and the North East Border in identifying if there is a genuine opportunity to develop a stand-alone competition in that region.”

“It should be noted that some clubs have indicated that the Outer East model remains their preference, a view we support and will continue to facilitate. Our focus is to find the best, most sustainable solution for all clubs in the region.”

Mr Bailey also outlined changes to the Under 18 competition, which will see graded divisions, as well as detailing that each club is required to provide seven netball sides – the customary four senior sides – plus three juniors.

“The commission reviewed a move from Under 18 to Under 19 football, however there was a clear indication from all clubs that Under 18s remained the preferred model.”

“The grading of the competition will follow the models used by Northern (Football League), Eastern(Football League) and AFL Barwon. This will be done on a case by case basis, with the club’s senior level not a key consideration in which division an Under 18 team is placed.”

“The preferred structure for Under 18’s is a three-division competition. Placing the Under 18 side with their senior side will remain a priority and will be provided as much as possible.”

“It is expected that all clubs will enter four (4) senior sides and Under 13,15 and 17 sides in 2020. Further announcements regarding Netball will be made following the upcoming netball meeting in October.”

The AFL Outer East will also run a stand-alone female competition in 2020, after previously having worked in conjunction with the Eastern Football League. Mr Bailey expects there to be two divisions in 2020, with an aim to have three divisions in 2021. 

“We can confirm that we will run a stand-alone female competition in 2020. Indications are we will have two divisions,”

“Officer have applied to join the competition from the South East women’s. Our long-term aim is to grow this competition into a three division competition by 2021, with all Outer East clubs female teams, in the Outer East women’s competition.”