Local leagues to host championships
Local leagues will play host for the AFL Community Championships in May next year.
The Gippsland and West Gippsland leagues will play host after travelling away last year, while the Ellinbank District Football League could return to action following a year off from participating in the concept, subject to an Alberton Football Netball League decision on its participation.
The EDFL will have home ground advantage over the Alberton Football League if the ALberton league decide to take part in the championships to be played on Saturday, May 19.
Given recent league restructures, pundits would be watching on with interest.
The EDFL took a year off from competing at senior level last year following its 2016 loss to Southern Football League, deciding to focus on its junior representative football following the league restructure.
Both Gippsland and West Gippsland leagues will be aiming to bounce back following losses in last year’s campaign.
The Gippsland League will take on Murray Football Netball League.
West Gippsland Football Competition will host Maryborough-Castlemaine Football Netball League.
While going down in their first championship match last year, West Gippsland will enter the match with confidence with many of its players taking part in the EDFL’s big win over the league in 2015.
The South East Football League will also host its match against Yarra Ranges, adding to the representative football options east of Melbourne.
Having recently withdrawn from the concept, the Mid Gippsland Football League has again chosen to not take part.
Thirty-four leagues have opted in to compete in the annual event with 30 leagues hailing from country Victoria, while a further four metropolitan leagues will prepare to lace up the boots next year.
In its third season, the 2018 AFL Victoria Community Championships will see the best senior community footballers go head-to-head in a bid to rise up the ranks on their quest to be crowned the number-one community league in the state.
AFL Victoria Community Football Development Manager Stephen O’Donohue said the event is a terrific opportunity for community players to be able to showcase their skills.
“The AFL Victoria Community Championships has fast become one of the most anticipated events on the community football calendar, with the opportunity for players to represent their league continuing to be a highlight for footballers in grass root competitions across the state,” he said.