The presidents of the two neighbouring football leagues do not expect any of their clubs to follow Penola’s example and join the new Limestone Coast Football Netball League in 2025.
Penola announced on Tuesday its decision to leave the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara competition, with the news coming just a day after it received a $150,000 grant from the SANFL to upgrade its changerooms.
The KNT Eagles will become the seventh club in the re-badged Western Border Football League.
The club had been a foundation club of the WBFL in 1964 but had departed for a northern cross-border league in the 1980s without winning a flag.
Mid South East Football League president Peter Mitchell said the SE football restructure had been raised at last week’s meeting of club delegates.
“None of our nine clubs has been approached by the SANFL to leave,” Mr Mitchell said.
“This comes as a surprise to me.
“Some rumours were aired at the delegates’ meeting.
“At this stage, the Mid SE clubs and league are moving ahead as normal.”
Kalangadoo’s impressive achievements in both football and netball has prompted speculation that it may be targeted by the SANFL to switch leagues.
However, Magpies president Reece Carlson said there was absolutely no appetite for such a shift.
KNT president Peter McLellan said his league respected Penola’s decision and the club would be missed.
He said the Eagles would now have a farewell season in the KNTFL.
“They were close to leaving last year,” Mr McLellan said.
“The LCFNL is much closer for them and many of the Penola kids go to school in Mount Gambier.
“I am not aware of any other clubs wanting to leave the KNTFL and I have not heard any rumours.
“We are having a meeting of club delegates, presidents and secretaries this week.”
Penola president Matt Tilby has spoken in the public arena about the move and said he felt confident his club would be competitive in its new home.
A similar upbeat view was presented in a radio interview by interim LCFNL chairman Scott Duncan
He said the LCFNL had been prepared to accommodate the requirements of Penola by restructuring its underage competitions.
Mr Duncan said Penola’s decision vindicated the formation of the LCFNL and showed it was on the right path.
He said the LCFNL was willing to talk to other clubs about their intentions.
Penola’s move to the new LCFNL has been welcomed by media identity and past player Gorden “Milo” Milosevic.
“As one of the first players other than a coach living in Mount Gambier who gratefully benefitted from travelling to play with Penola in 1977/78/79 in the then high standard 12 team Western Border Football Legue, I am so pleased the Eagles will join the new LCFNL in 2025,” Mr Milosevic said.
“Having been fortunate to be actively involved in South East/Limestone Coast football since 1974 in most facets of the game including 32 years in the media striving to be fair and independent, I believe Penola’s decision is a win for commonsense and logic.
“Penola Football Club president Matthew Tilby and his fellow executives/committee must be congratulated on the manner in which they conducted the process leading to this decision on behalf of the clubs’ members.
“While the benefit of the tangible $150,000 SANFL Facilities Grant announced on Monday is an immediate bonus for the club there are so many other positives going forward.
“May the Eagles soar in the LCFNL from 2025.”
