Troubled EDFL club Jacana’s season appears over with financial trouble and player exodus crippling the club
The suburban footy club that produced AFL greats Bruce Doull and Scott Wynd is set to forfeit the rest of the season with a league meeting expected to confirm it will not play another game in 2019.
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Financial trouble and a player exodus has finally brought Jacana to its knees.
The Jaguars’ season appears over with a meeting with the Essendon District Football League on Monday expected to confirm the club will not play another game in 2019.
The club that produced AFL greats such as Bruce Doull and Scott Wynd has been fighting for survival since winning it’s maiden EDFL senior premiership in 2017.
A steering committee will be installed a fortnight after with a view to the club returning to the field in Division 2 in 2020.
The club and league declined to comment on the club’s future until after the meeting.
It’s been a rocky three weeks for Jacana after the club forfeited its Round 5 matches against Northern Saints and parted ways with coach Matthew Huy.
More than 20 players — including captain Bryce Kimuliatis and marquee forward Cameron Cloke — departed the club in the wake of the forfeit.
After a groundswell of support the Jaguars returned to the field in Round 6 but were not able to keep the momentum going.
As rumours swirled the Jaguars were set to close its doors, the club remained defiant and were confident of seeing out the season.
However, on Thursday night the EDFL confirmed the club would be forced to forfeit its senior and reserve matches against Hadfield.
DEFIANT: HUY OUT AS JACANA BEGINS REBUILD
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FORFEIT: JAGUARS ADDRESS CLOSURE RUMOURS
It’s understood a number of players who answered the SOS were unable to back up physically from the loss to Sunbury Kangaroos and the club decided to forfeit.
Long-time servant of the club Wally Rogers said the decision was made in the long-term interests of Jacana.
“We’d spoken about it prior, if the numbers weren’t there, if it was sustainable to finish the year because of the damage that’s been done,” he said.
“They’ve actually nearly cleared up all the debt, it’s just the ground fees that needs to be paid.
“They could have rung around and maybe just got a side to play but as Paul (coach Paul Houston) said you’re going to cop a flogging and you’re probably going to drain resources that can be used the following year.”
Jacana have a rich history of producing AFL talent with Carlton great Bruce Doull, Brownlow Medallist Scott Wynd, Ross Smith, Jose Romero and Chris Johnson all hailing from the club.
The Jaguars claimed their maiden EDFL senior flag in 2017 but have faced off-field battles for survival since.
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