AFL Victoria will begin work on a Smythesdale Football Netball Club appeal when staff return to work from holidays on Monday morning.
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The Bulldogs have officially appealed the Mininera and District league’s decision to block the club entry into its competition for 2019.
News of the unsuccessful transfer request was made public on December 13 before the club challenged the verdict inside the required seven-day timeframe.
Smythesdale president John Cranny said an appeal was worth a shot, particularly given indications that seven of the Mininera and District league’s 12 clubs voted in favour of accepting the Bulldogs.
Smythesdale needed 75 per cent of the clubs in support to get a green light for the move.
“To miss out by that sort of number and the majority still wanted us, it's worth appealing,” he said.
“It’s just timing now. It’s all so late.”
Also in December, the Golden Plains Shire Council called on the AFL and state government to help find Smythesdale a home for 2019.
Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey wrote to AFL chief executive officer Gillon McLachlan, AFL Victoria CEO Steven Reaper, Minister for Sport Martin Pakula and Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams for support.
The Courier spoke with council’s senior communications and marketing officer Susan Talpey, who said as of Tuesday there had been no response to any of the letters.
Smythesdale has called the Central Highlands league home since 2011, where it has struggled for on-field and on-court success.
Why our reporters say Smythesdale should be able to do play. Video from December, 2018.
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