By RUSSELL BENNETT
YOU could be forgiven for thinking the Ellinbank and District Football League had its own ’Days of Our Lives’ spin-off. There’s just one drama-filled episode after another.
A meeting of the western division team delegates last week only seemed to raise more doubt on the league split, with the majority seemingly in favour of deferring the move until 2015.
Catani president Tony McFarlane said he saw no point in the league splitting at all unless clubs from neighbouring leagues opted to sign up.
“Six clubs wanted (the move) deferred at the last meeting we had,” he said.
“The eastern clubs would be wild and angry about that, but we – Catani – are completely against the split.
“We’re for anything that postpones or delays it and I hope it never happens.”
McFarlane said if a split was to take place, both of the new divisions would need to be able to survive in their own right.
“But I don’t think that’s possible,” he said.
“Some clubs never had enough junior sides in the first place.
“All sorts of things need to be sorted out.”
League president Roger Gwynne attended last week’s delegates meeting and acknowledged “there’s a fair bit of uncertainty at the moment”.
“I’m just about fed up with it!” he said.
Gwynne raised doubts that “gun” players would want to be a part of a seven-team division, adding that the overall standard of the competition would drop.
Like McFarlane, he said: “If we got the junior structure right, that would sort it out”.
Gwynne said he wasn’t against clubs enticing star players into the league with big money, but added “they should be made to earn it” by helping out at junior level.
He said the league would fine clubs $250 per week next season for each junior side they failed to field.
“That money will go into a pool to boost junior footy,” he added.
“No more Mr Nice Guy on this.
“I’ve been in this league for 20 years, but I won’t bow out until it’s running on an even keel again.
“I’m determined.”
There will be another league-wide delegates meeting tonight (Wednesday) with more drama set to unfold.
In other EDFL news, the Demons have made their disappointment known in missing out on hosting one of this year’s finals, but the club is wasting no time in moving on.
President Tony Cammarano said: “We always help the league out in emergencies (in hosting games) when it’s a bit wet, so we’re a bit disappointed to miss out”.
But he was quick to add: “It wasn’t to be this year.
“There’s no point whinging about it.
“If Kooweerup is playing, we can just go along and enjoy the game now.”
