The South Australian Football Commission has responded to the concerns of Mid South Eastern Football League past presidents Dennis Muhovics, Keith Sneath and Rob Dycer.
The trio recently penned an open letter to the SA Football Commission stating their fears that some of their clubs would fold if the Mid SE was forced into a merger with the Western Border Football League in 2024.
Mr Muhovics said the situation had since changed as the SE Working Party has instead recommended the Mid SE be retained but with the addition of East Gambier and Casterton/Sandford from the Western Border.
He said the Working Party wants to see an expanded Kowree Naracoorte Football League with the addition of the four other Western Border to make a 14-club competition.
“We past presidents prefer the status quo for the three SE leagues but are happy to support the Working Party’s recommendation,” Mr Muhovics said.
“If there has to be change, this is the best option.
“I was phoned this week by SA Football Commission Rob Kerin who is the chairman of the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority, a former Premier of South Australia and past president of the Crystal Brook Football Club.
“We talked for 15 minutes about the matters raised in our open letter.
“Our main concern was the forced merger of the Western Border and Mid SE but our fears have been allayed by the Working Party recommendation.
“Mr Kerin said football administrators were still working hard at getting Portland and the combined Hamilton club back in the Western Border from the Warrnambool-based Hampden league.
“If this occurred, the Western Border would return to eight clubs and could continue as a stand-alone entity.”
Mr Muhovics, Mr Sneath and Mr Dycer are all SANFL merit award holders and their open letter contained another criticism of the Adelaide-based football administrators.
They were critical the Mid SE had not been allocated any elite level matches since the 1980s.
“Mr Kerin said he was also aware of this situation,” Mr Muhovics said.
“Mr Kerin was full of praise for SANFL zone club Glenelg and its efforts in promoting football in the SE and supporting the clubs.”
