St John’s OCFC to play Thirds in 2019

The VAFA Football, Growth and Integrity Sub-Committee has accepted St John’s Old Collegians Football Club’s application to enter one team only in the 2019 Thirds competition.

St John’s, who won five games in the 2018 Division 2 season and finished in seventh spot on the ladder, will be unable to field two teams after experiencing a difficult period of player departures over the off-season.

VAFA General Manager, Football Operations Sam Confait said, “the decision to place St John’s in the Thirds competition was made in the best interest of the club and to prevent forfeitures in Division 2, compromising the integrity of the competition”.

“St John’s has been a valued member of our Association since 1991 and the VAFA is committed to supporting the club through this difficult period alongside AFL Victoria,” he said.

The desire to keep the St John’s jumper alive and well is strong among the club’s committee, a new-look leadership group and 31 registered players.

President, Michael Hancock, spoke with VAFA Media about the move and said the opportunity to remain as a Thirds side gave them the ability to rebuild as a club.

“We will try to follow in the footsteps of South Mornington and St Francis Xavier, two sides who have successfully rebuilt through the Clubbies and re-entered Division 4,” he said.

The club’s home base at Thomas Carroll Reserve is currently under redevelopment but promises to be a state-of-the-art surface upon completion.

Division 2 will now feature nine teams with two bye rounds for each side.