Div 1 2026

[adock]

It also states "The Eastern league season begins on Saturday, with Division 3 pair Silvan and Coldstream opening the year in a standalone clash". Didn't know that.

This is the round 9 clash which would have been Kings Bday weekend. Both clubs agreed to play tomorrow to get back that mid season bye and long weekend. It was only announced a few weeks back when ground availability became clearer.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

As of last night there was still EFNL hope of convincing a Div 2 club to go up, but its becoming unlikely. Wantirna South are no chance to return after relegation in 2024.

There is also no chance of a Div 4 club coming up so the landing spot for Doncaster would have to be Div 3 with Donvale already accepting to go up to Div 2.

If no D2 side will go up, then Donvale can’t go up to make 11 clubs. Nor can Doncaster go to D3 as it’d make 11 clubs there.

It’s all reliant on a D2 side going up.

Only option would be Doncaster to D4 and everybody else stays where they are. Bye in D1.

 

[Harry Cheezels]

Doncaster have gone into Recess
No Div 2 club wants to go up to Div 1 because they haven't had the time to recruit for that level and fears they would get smashed most weeks as the jump is pretty big.
Therefore Donvale who accepted to go up will still stay in Div 3 so now Div 1 will just have to have a Bye week.

 

[eflreceiver]

Doncaster have gone into Recess
No Div 2 club wants to go up to Div 1 because they haven't had the time to recruit for that level and fears they would get smashed most weeks as the jump is pretty big.
Therefore Donvale who accepted to go up will still stay in Div 3 so now Div 1 will just have to have a Bye week.

All in all, I think it's the best decision given how close we are to the start of the season. I will add EB wasn't asked to go to Div1.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

All in all, I think it's the best decision given how close we are to the start of the season. I will add EB wasn't asked to go to Div1.

I know you’re joking but I wonder how many clubs were asked. Do they just ask the runners up (Croydon) and the relegated club (Wan South) and that’s it? Or do they go right down the list?

 

[eflreceiver]

I know you’re joking but I wonder how many clubs were asked. Do they just ask the runners up (Croydon) and the relegated club (Wan South) and that’s it? Or do they go right down the list?

Well, they didn't go down to 8th. If I were doing it, I would have to consider who would be competitive and not lambs to the slaughter. But alas, who knows?

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Well, they didn't go down to 8th. If I were doing it, I would have to consider who would be competitive and not lambs to the slaughter. But alas, who knows?

It’s hard to judge. The only one to go up since the change is South Belgrave and in their first year in D1 they finished on top undefeated (lost the GF).

That would suggest the leap isn’t huge but it’s possibly an outlier. Will see how Boronia go.

 

[good thing]

It’s hard to judge. The only one to go up since the change is South Belgrave and in their first year in D1 they finished on top undefeated (lost the GF).

That would suggest the leap isn’t huge but it’s possibly an outlier. Will see how Boronia go.

Boronia will go well

 

[Glorfindel]

But it's true, just look around you.

We are not replenishing players.


Junior teams these days are absolutely struggling for numbers.

This is starting to progress onto seniors and in a few years, a lot more teams are going to struggle.

Its happening now.

I’m not sure I would associate the collapse of Western Civilisation with reduced junior participation in a sport that essentially is only played in 4 states in one country but anyway . . .

 

[magpies2013]

Doncaster have gone into Recess
No Div 2 club wants to go up to Div 1 because they haven't had the time to recruit for that level and fears they would get smashed most weeks as the jump is pretty big.
Therefore Donvale who accepted to go up will still stay in Div 3 so now Div 1 will just have to have a Bye week.

Is this fact or just something you heard.We can’t really comment unit we hear something official from the league

 

[eflreceiver]

Is this fact or just something you heard.We can’t really comment unit we hear something official from the league

It's being discussed on Signal, and they've added people who shouldn't be there.

 

[thefunnelweb]

Is this fact or just something you heard.We can’t really comment unit we hear something official from the league

In case you haven’t realised yet 1% is correct in here it’s just blokes taking stabs in the dark and eventually someone is correct and gets lorded for it

 

[Saltness]

In case you haven’t realised yet 1% is correct in here it’s just blokes taking stabs in the dark and eventually someone is correct and gets lorded for it

As much as the league wants teams to go up divisions to help Doncaster surely it’s far far too late

 

[Bobby Beecroft]

As much as the league wants teams to go up divisions to help Doncaster surely it’s far far too late

But it’s not helping Doncaster.
They could have just put Doncaster into Div 4 & ended with a similar result.
A bye in Div 1.

 

[thefunnelweb]

So just to clarify the league kicks off tomorrow in less than 24 hours with silvan vs Coldstream and we are still pending fixtures . The ball hasn’t been bounced it’s been dropped here by the EFNL head office

 

[LaPorta Potty]

But it’s not helping Doncaster.
They could have just put Doncaster into Div 4 & ended with a similar result.
A bye in Div 1.

So they can field a side in Div 4 but otherwise go into recess? Let’s just let everyone pick what grade they want to be in, that will work well!

 

[Bobby Beecroft]

So they can field a side in Div 4 but otherwise go into recess? Let’s just let everyone pick what grade they want to be in, that will work well!

Or just fold a club of 120 years.
Your choice.

 

[LaPorta Potty]

Or just fold a club of 120 years.
Your choice.

How bout do what every other club does when times get tough. Norwood had weeks where there were 10-12 teenagers in the ones last year, fought their asses off, went down, and now are starting to build again. It’s a long tough road but it is worth the effort

 

[thefunnelweb]

Or just fold a club of 120 years.
Your choice.

Silly statement! Sayings it’s divi 4 or fold! Think everyone with a logically outlook could see that you can’t put a divi 1 club in divi 4 there were options and other clubs didn’t come to the party.

 

[Bobby Beecroft]

In case you haven’t realised yet 1% is correct in here it’s just blokes taking stabs in the dark

You are spot on here.
Not sure that some here understand the circumstances. Which is fine.

 

[Shootfromthehip]

Silly statement! Sayings it’s divi 4 or fold! Think everyone with a logically outlook could see that you can’t put a divi 1 club in divi 4 there were options and other clubs didn’t come to the party.

Surely the Competition controlling body has the powers to override clubs. They are the only ones capable of making decisions for the greater good of all . It’s not ideal but IMO Croydon should be in Division 1 and anything and everything should be done to keep Doncaster in Division 3 or 4 if at all possible.

 

[thefunnelweb]

Surely the Competition controlling body has the powers to override clubs. They are the only ones capable of making decisions for the greater good of all . It’s not ideal but IMO Croydon should be in Division 1 and anything and everything should be done to keep Doncaster in Division 3 or 4 if at all possible.

Youd hope so but clearly not sets a little dangerous precedent doesn’t it? You can’t make us mentality now for other clubs if it happens again?

 

[Shootfromthehip]

Youd hope so but clearly not sets a little dangerous precedent doesn’t it? You can’t make us mentality now for other clubs if it happens again?

I understand what you are saying but it shouldn’t be too hard to ascertain whether a club is in genuine trouble or trying to manipulate an outcome

 

[eflreceiver]

You are spot on here.
Not sure that some here understand the circumstances. Which is fine.

The ball hasn’t been bounced, we have to speculate on something

 

[thefunnelweb]

I understand what you are saying but it shouldn’t be too hard to ascertain whether a club is in genuine trouble or trying to manipulate an outcome

I meant move in relation to asking/forcing teams up for balance more so than Doncaster pulling out/going down!