COBURG Districts’ application to leave the Western Region Football League for the Essendon District league was approved on Friday.
The move had been mooted since the middle of last season and has now been rubber-stamped by AFL Victoria.
The Lions will join EDFL division 2, meaning the competition is now up to eight clubs after East Sunbury’s commitment to field a senior team in the division this season also.
The Moreland Council-based club plays out of Cole Reserve in the EDFL’s eastern cluster of teams, near Pascoe Vale, Hadfield and Glenroy.
“It gives it a lot of credibility and sustainability to division 2,” EDFL general manager Marc Turri said.
“To have an eight-team competition with no byes provides that variation you need that you don’t necessarily have with seven or six teams.
“Eventually we’ll be able to extend division 1 to nine teams with a view to 10 in the long term.
“It’s really logical to have Coburg Districts competing in what is their local competition.” — Teo Pellizzeri
