By LIAM TWOMEY
THE Western Region Football League is one step closer to moving into a three-tier competition after announcing two new senior teams for the 2013 season.
It was originally thought first year clubs Manor Lakes and Sanctuary Lakes would enter only junior sides next year however, after incredibly strong numbers both sides will also compete in Division Two of the senior competition.
WRFL CEO Bob Tregear said it was a pleasant surprise for the competition.
“We were expecting that they would start off as junior start up clubs and four or five years down the track be interested in seniors,” he said.
“They have surprised us and surprised themselves too. It’s great how strong both clubs have been to be ready for senior football straight away.
“We were surprised but I suppose on reflection we shouldn’t be. There is a big population down there so you have to expect that there is going to be people playing football already who are moving into the area.”
The new make up of the WRFL will see 10 teams compete in Division One next season while either 12 or 13 will compete in Division Two, depending on the result of a hearing with AFL Victoria and Coburg Districts Football Club this week.
The Lions have expressed interest in joining the Essendon District Football League.
Tregear said the WRFL would need “another couple” of clubs before it could break into a three-division model but added the league wouldn’t be looking to poach from rival leagues.
“We have a conscious policy of not targeting any clubs from other leagues but if clubs approach us then we are open to discussion with them,” he said.
“We know that we already have a group interested in forming a new club at Tarneit in 2014 and that would be seniors. They have been talking to us for over a year now. That is another one that is already on the radar before anything else happens.
“From a competition point of view it will even out the competition and give more clubs a chance of playing finals and it will help our fund-raising too because another finals series will mean we will have another revenue source.”
