EDFL 2019: Jacana addresses rumours its doors will close
Jacana has pulled out of Saturday’s senior and reserves fixtures against Northern Saints after a player exodus.
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UPDATE: Jacana has forfeited Saturday’s senior and reserves fixtures against Northern Saints after a player exodus.
The EDFL Division 2 club denied rumours it was in danger of closing its doors.
But the league confirmed late Friday afternoon the Jags would not take the field this weekend as they battle off-field issues.
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“We can confirm that Jacana Football Club has forfeited its seniors and reserves matches against Northern Saints Football Club this weekend,” EDFL chief executive Craig Armstead said.
“We have spoken to club officials about tomorrow’s games and have also scheduled a meeting early next week.”
Bailey Dalgleish, Zac Hill, Matthew Koops, Liam Lucas, Rhys McNicol, Matthew Sinnett are among those to have filed clearances to depart.
Jacana president David Currie said Cameron Cloke, who has 22 goals from four games this season, remained a contracted player.
Cloke is set to play for Hume Football League club Henty on Saturday but the clearance is for one week only.
While Currie conceded it was likely there would be weeks the Jags fielded only a senior side during the remainder of 2019, he said there was no threat to its immediate future.
“We’re working through a few situations,” Currie said.
“The club isn’t closing. We’ll work through it and get back on our feet.”
Jacana returned to Division 2 this season after claiming one win in Division 1 last year.
The club’s maiden EDFL senior flag came in 2017 and it has faced off-field battles for survival in recent years.
Former AFL stars Bruce Doull, Ross Smith, Scott Wynd, Jose Romero and Chris Johnson are products of the Jags.
Currie said Jacana’s financial issues were “no more than other clubs”.
“Other clubs might have big debts, but we don’t want big debts,” he said.
“That’s the way Jacana’s always worked.
“The club’s been worse before and come out the other side, so there’s no reason why we won’t come out the other side this time.”
Currie said the loyal players who had remained would be rewarded.
Jacana also waved goodbye to Jason Cloke, Justin Colliss, Josh Young, Billy Morrison and Jacob Austin last off-season.
“We won a flag two years ago. Cameron Cloke was a part of that,” Currie said.
“He enjoys the club. He’s a good person, so hopefully we can battle through it.”
The Jags sit eighth on the ladder with a 1-3 record under first-year mentor Matthew Huy.
The club has organised a meeting for 7pm on Friday night at Jacana Reserve to address “misinformation being spread”.
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