An update on the 2021 NFNL season.
The NFNL Board met last night to discuss the 2021 season and the impact the current restrictions are having on all competitions.
Please continue below for an update on each competition.
SENIOR MEN’S FOOTBALL
HOME AND AWAY ROUNDS + FINALS
• The current home and away fixtures will remain as they are.
• This means games scheduled to be played on the weekends of July 16-18 and July 23-25 (Round 14 for Division 1; Round 14 and Round 15 for Division 2 and Division 3) will be declared cancelled games.
– This includes the Good Friday seniors and reserves games that featured Epping vs Thomastown (moved from Round 14), and Eltham vs St Mary’s (moved from Round 15).
– As per the NFNL By-Laws: “If two or more games are cancelled or abandoned in the same grade and division, the round will be declared void and no premiership points, percentages or best and fairest votes will be awarded or applied for that round.”
– The under-19s game played on Good Friday will stand as this game featured during grading and was not moved from any rounds that have been cancelled.
• The NFNL has compiled a survey which will be sent to all clubs who field teams in the senior women’s football competitions. This will assist the NFNL in ascertaining club thoughts relating to the remaining rounds and finals structure moving forward in season 2021.
PROMOTION AND RELEGATION
• For season 2021 there will be promotion, but no relegation.
• The decision not to have relegation is based on the premise that the games that were cancelled due to the COVID lockdown had the ability to impact who would stay up and who would go down.
SEASON 2022 COMPETITION STRUCTURE
• Division 1 – 11 teams (one team promoted from Division 2 at completion of 2021 season)
• Division 2 – 10 teams (one team promoted to Division 1; one team promoted from Division 3 at competition of 2021 season
• Division 3 – 7 teams (1 team promoted to Division 2 at completion of 2021 season)
SEASON 2023 COMPETITION STRUCTURE
• Division 1 – 10 teams (one team promoted from Division 2; two relegated to Division 2 at completion of 2022 season)
• Division 2 – 10 teams (one team promoted to Division 1; one team promoted from Division 3; two teams relegated from Division 1; two teams relegated to Division 3 at completion of 2022 season)
• Division 3 – 8 teams (one team promoted to Division 3; two relegated from Division 2 at completion of 2022 season)
SENIOR WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
The NFNL has compiled a survey which will be sent to all clubs who field teams in the senior women’s football competitions. This will assist the NFNL in ascertaining club thoughts relating to the remaining rounds and finals structure moving forward in season 2021.
JUNIOR FOOTBALL
The NFNL has sent a survey to all junior football clubs outlining several options for the remainder of the home and away season and the finals series. The NFNL will provide an update once clubs have submitted their responses.
NETBALL
The NFNL has sent a survey to all netball clubs outlining several options for the remainder of the home and away season and the finals series. The NFNL will provide an update once clubs have submitted their responses.
