Heathcote District: Cohuna Kangas rejected for second successive year by HDFNL clubs

Cohuna Kangas have hit a brick wall for the second year in a row in attempts to join the Heathcote District league.

Cohuna Kangas’ plan to switch to the Heathcote District league has been rejected for the second year in a row.

A majority of the nine Heathcote District league clubs were again opposed to accepting Cohuna Kangas at a formal vote held on Monday night.

The latest failed bid follows other recent examples across the state of planned moves falling over at the first hurdle of a vote of existing clubs.

They include Maryborough failing with two attempts to join different leagues after a horror season in the Bendigo league.

“Unfortunately we can’t do anything about it,” Cohuna Kangas president Wade Mathers said.

“Logistically all our juniors go that way and it would have been a lot better fit for us.

“It is what it is.”

Morwell East, Yinnar and Newborough also failed with attempts to join the North Gippsland league recently.

The only club which could be successfully switching leagues is former Outer East club Broadford, which is in talks with the Bendigo league.

Former Golden Square star Jack Geary is in his first season as Cohuna Kangas coach. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

The second successive planned move by the Kangas to leave the Central Murray league had 85 per cent member support at a vote held in July.

HDFNL operations manager Jan Mannes confirmed the “majority no vote” to the Kangas coming in and making it a 10-team competition.

She declined to comment on why HDFNL clubs were against accepting Cohuna.

“We’ve already had a long-term discussion about reasons,” she said.

“Last night was just a formal, yes or no vote.”

Cohuna Kangas must beat Nyah-Nyah West United in the last round of the Central Murray league on Saturday to qualify for finals with the club on a seven-match winning streak that started following a loss to reigning premiers Kerang in mid-June.

The Kangas are coached by Golden Square star Jack Geary and have beaten other finals contenders, Mallee Eagles and Balranald, in the second half of the season.