Maryborough can get rival players to join them, for now, until the transfer deadline ends
The Maryborough Football Club was forced to field players from the opposition last Saturday and now the Bendigo league has had its say on the Magpies’ future.
The Bendigo Football Netball League insists Maryborough is planning to finish out the season despite their season going from bad to worse last Saturday.
The Magpies recorded their 54th straight loss in seniors with a 188-point defeat to Eaglehawk.
The bottom-placed team didn’t kick a goal for the first time this season.
Making matters worse the Magpies were unable to even field a full senior side.
Maryborough was forced to have two Eaglehawk players play for them with Riley Neaves and Jack Kerr getting a game.
While players around the state have changed clubs during the season, usually it is to go from one club in one league to another side in a different competition.
But according to BFNL football manager Cameron Tomlins it is something which can happen, even though it is rare.
“On that occasion (Saturday) we had two players transfer prior to the June 30 deadline,” he said.
“It’s in line with AFL Victoria rules that allow players to transfer for one match.”
But Maryborough will not be able to do it past July 1, when players are locked into their clubs for the rest of the season when the transfer window closes.
“(Maryborough can’t do it) in the same fashion as last week,” Tomlins said.
“They would need to pull players from elsewhere.”
Tomlins added the only movements between clubs past June 30, in their competition, can happen between under-18s and reserves.
The football manager added the club was still focused on playing out the season despite the struggles for numbers.
This week the side faces Strathfieldsaye, which is the final game in the first half of the season.
After Saturday each team would have faced the other eight sides once.
It could allow Maryborough to withdraw its teams for the rest of the season and allow Bendigo to change the fixture without other teams being impacted.
But at this stage the Magpies are committed to playing.
“Maryborough are committed to finishing the season with the BFNL understanding there are a few challenges,” Tomlins said.
“That’s not going to change.
“Our anticipation is Maryborough will finish the season in as many grades as possible.
“The BFNL are fully across the situation and how it is unfolding week to week.”
The future of Maryborough is set to be discussed this week when the BFNL board gathers for its monthly meeting.
“The board will discuss that (Maryborough), they meet monthly,” Tomlins said.
“It will be an agenda item going forward.
“The club will continue to go through their process (of their future).
“If the future lies with the BFNL they will (the board) support them.
“The board will support their decision either way and help them through either decision they make.”
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