Eagles knocked back

Cranbourne''s application to join the MPNFL has been unsuccesful. 184474 Picture: ROB CAREW

Cranbourne’s quest to join the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League has been dealt a major blow, with the clubs rejecting the Eagles’ application to join the competition in 2019.

At a Special General Meeting held at Frankston Park tonight (Wednesday 29 August), the clubs rejected the application for one of the region’s most powerful clubs to join the competition.

The Eagles required a 75 per cent vote from the 22 clubs, or a 17-5 vote, to be successful, but fell short and will now need to explore their options.

Under AFL Victoria Rules, the club has seven days to lodge an appeal with AFL South East Region Commission, with any appeal to be heard by an independent panel.

The club have been adamant that their future lies on the Mornington Peninsula and not with the newly formed ‘AFL Outer East’, so are expected to take the matter further and launch an appeal.