Official website of the Essendon District Football League

McGuane Backs Pro/Rel For 2020 Season

By Tara Murray


KEILOR premiership coach Mick McGuane is in favour of promotion and relegation to remain in place this season.

With the season currently on hold due to COVID-19, the league is putting in place plans to try and get a season up and running once given the go ahead.

While a start date and details of play is still unknown, the league is aiming to get a nine-round season plus finals in all men’s and women’s divisions with a start date in June or July.

The league is in talks with local councils about the possibility of the season running into October if needed.

There has been some conversation among the EDFL faithful about not having promotion and relegation with the much shorter season than usual.

Speaking on last week’s EDFL Tonight Podcast, where a range of topics were covered, league CEO Ian Kyte said they would put it out to all clubs what their views were on keeping relegation and promotion this season.

No formal decision has yet been made.

McGuane, who was a special guest on the podcast, said he thinks things should remain in place as if it were a normal season.

“I would hold it the same,” McGuane said.

“That’s my personal belief, nine or 18 games, everyone knows where it is at and if you finish last, you get demoted.

“If you win the premiership underneath (you get promoted). If the rules are put in place right from the outset, I’m in favour, irrespective of what has happened, don’t change them.

“Craigieburn comes up this year (to Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division) and I’m not saying Craigieburn will finish last by any stretch of the imagination. (But) if they did, they would have to know where they sit before the season starts.”

McGuane said discussions would certainly have to be had about the financial burden that could be put on any side promoted heading into the 2021 season with the grade above having a higher salary cap.

Kyte said while they were still waiting for confirmation from AFL Victoria, they were expecting Premier Division to have a salary cap of $50,000 this season if a nine-game season was to go ahead.

Promotion and relegation was just one of a number of topics on the agenda on last week’s show.

Fixtures, finals make-up and the possibility of a wild card round and the current financial situation facing everybody were also discussed in-depth.

McGuane spoke about how Keilor was handling the situation and about some of the stars at his club.

He also went in-depth about his time as an AFL assistant coach and his love for local football.

EDFL Partners