Ovens and Murray: Wangaratta all out bid to reclaim premiership

Wangaratta is fighting on two fronts as it attempts to reclaim its now-stripped 2022 premiership while falling into an 0-3 hole to start the new season.

Wangaratta is digging in for a fight on two fronts as the sanctions from its salary cap breach in the Ovens and Murray league last season begin to bite.

The club is exploring all avenues to reinstate its premiership, which was stripped from it by the Ovens and Murray league board, with confirmation expected this week on a request for appeal to AFL Victoria.

The AFL’s legal department has been reviewing the request for a month. If unsuccessful, the club will consider other legal options.

Wangaratta had planned to unfurl the 2022 flag at its first home match a fortnight ago.

On the field, Wangaratta is in early season trouble at 0-3 after losing the first game it could earn points from against Yarrawonga last Saturday by 31 points.

Wangaratta Magpies coach Ben Reid. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

“You obviously want to compete in any game you play,” Wangaratta coach Ben Reid said.

“I think we’ve been competing no doubt, we’ve just been lapsing for 20 or 30 minutes.

“It’s been hurting us, but if we can turn that around, we can get our season back on track pretty quick.”

Wangaratta had accepted the initial penalties handed down by AFL North-East Border for its salary cap bust.

They included not earning points from the first two games, playing with four less player points and a $28,000 fine.

Wangaratta’s Tyler Norton eludes a tackle from Yarrawonga’s Harry Wheeler. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Wangaratta has not commented since the Ovens and Murray league board stripped the club of last year’s flag for being in breach of its rules for being over the salary cap.

O and M president David Sinclair said last month: “Where a breach is proven, innocent mistake or otherwise, the league simply cannot award a premiership where sanctions are handed out that bring into focus the integrity of the competition.”

The loss of four player points is having the most impact on the club’s on-field endeavours.

It has played the last two games on its reduced limit of 36 points after playing in the grand final last year with three points spare.

Yarrawonga coach Steve Johnson. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Wangaratta is also dealing with a decimated midfield from last season.

Prime mover Joe Richards was drafted by Collingwood, but recently injured his hamstring and will miss four to six weeks.

Wangaratta is expected to win its next match against North Albury before fronting up to another leading flag contender in Albury.