Victorian Premier Cricket: Essendon’s James Seymour applies for clearance to St Kilda

The bitter contract dispute between Essendon and James Seymour could drag on, with the Bombers declaring they will refuse to clear him to rival club St Kilda.

The bitter contract dispute between Essendon and its former captain James Seymour has taken a development, with the Victorian century-maker today lodging a clearance to join rival club St Kilda.

The Australian Cricketers’ Association has gone into bat for Seymour as he tries to gain a transfer to the Saints.

But the Bombers are continuing to dig in.

The first round of the Victorian Premier Cricket season last Saturday passed with the star left-hander’s future unresolved.

After being dumped as captain – and after an acrimonious few months at Windy Hill – Seymour left the Bombers in the off-season with a year to run on his contract.

Essendon president Simon Tobin told CODE Sports last month that Seymour had a deal for 2024-25 and “we hope and expect he will fulfil those obligations’’.

“Should he wish to go elsewhere it’s up to him or his preferred club to make contact with us,’’ he said.

James Seymour on the attack for the Melbourne Renegades in 2021.

At that stage Seymour had decided on a move to the Saints but no clearance form had been submitted.

CODE Sports was told Tobin had indicated in private discussions that the Bombers would clear Seymour on the proviso they received financial compensation from the club of his choice.

With the backing of the ACA, Seymour today applied for a clearance. It’s understood the players’ association and its legal arm believe the contract is null and void and that Seymour should be back playing Premier Cricket.

Tobin today confirmed Seymour had asked to cross to St Kilda but said the Bombers would be refusing it.

James Seymour is seeking clearance from Essendon. Picture: Getty Images

He said it would be up to Cricket Victoria to make the next move.

Seymour was Essendon’s leading player for a number of seasons, scoring runs in head-turning numbers at the top of the order.

He shared the Ryder Medal in 2019-20.

By that stage club officials were vocal in the push for his inclusion in the Victorian squad and it came for 2021-22.

That season he hit a century against NSW at the MCG. Seymour also had stints with the Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars, playing 14 matches in total.

Despite losing a chunk of its First XI, Essendon was competitive in its Round 1 match against reigning premier Carlton, scoring 9-180 off 50 overs. The game was abandoned because of rain.

Originally published as Victorian Premier Cricket: Essendon’s James Seymour applies for clearance to St Kilda