Put them in ZL3 and if they're actually good enough, they'll be in ZL1 within 2 years. I suspect they won't go up the comps that easily though. All the Zone League clubs are already filled with ex-NEWFM players not good enough for first grade
This is what happened at Wallsend when we were accepted back into NEWFM. We inquired about nominating for League 1 with the players who didnt make the cut for NEWFM and were told we had to start at the bottom and work our way up. Had a good amount stick around and made it to league 2 at the 1st attempt. Didnt quite reach our goal of getting to League one this year coming in 2nd. The top half of League 2 was tough this year and there are some quality players kicking around in this division.