Wangaratta Rovers ­president Mark Booth labelled the Ovens and Murray's decision to change its draw to allow Yarrawonga recruit Brendan Fevola to play on Easter Sunday as disgusting.

Amid growing discontent from clubs over the last-minute rescheduling, the Hawks and Albury reacted savagely saying the move was a blight on the competition's integrity.

Yarrawonga was to open its season against Lavington at Mulwala on April 8 ­without the suspended Fevola but the ­Pigeons successfully put ­forward a submission to change the draw by playing their round 17 clash against Wangaratta on March 31.

While the Panthers will now have to contend with the dual Coleman medallist, there is more angst over the Pigeons being given a week off on the eve of the finals series.

Albury weighed into the ­furore late yesterday with president Gavan Schultz ­furious with the lack of ­consultation.

Booth said Wangaratta Rovers bitterly opposed the decision and claimed the move could have serious ramifications with future fixturing.

"The integrity of the board and league is in question," Booth said.

"They are supposed to be there to uphold the integrity of the rules.

"It's the most disgusting decision that I've ever heard.

"I'm fuming.

"They are basically pandering to some clubs that are quite vocal.

"The draw had been set and now they are changing the draw to get around the VCFL ... and the rules.

"It's a milestone decision."

League general manager Tom O'Connor said he could understand the concerns of clubs, but believed the board's decision was in the best interests of the O?and?M and country football.

"It&rsquo ;s been a football decision that has been made and not an individual club decision," Tom O'Connor said.

"We are trying to get as many people through the gates and showcase footy in this area.

"If we are accused of bringing the game into disrepute by doing that then I will happily take on that challenge."

Schultz said Albury was disappointed with the O and M's handling of the issue and believed Wangaratta and Yarrawonga had been given unfair advantages.

"We believe the integrity of the league and game has been compromised here and the lack of consultation of this extremely important decision has been disappointing and bordering on contempt towards the clubs," Schultz said.

"We have issued a letter to the O and M board of directors tonight seeking that the decision be rescinded.

"Albury has no issues with the two clubs.

"Our grievance is with the O and M administration and in particular the process they have undertaken in making this major change to the draw three weeks before the first game."

Panthers' president Peter Barwick was dumbfounded when told of the revised draw last week, while Corowa-Rutherglen president Ray McLarty said yesterday the Roos would seek clarification on the decision.

"We discussed it as a board on Saturday," he said.

"I don't want to say much at this stage, but there are certainly some questions that need answering.

"I know Tom and the board have the league's best interests at heart and I'll leave it at that."

By Brett Kohlhagen

Article first appeared The Border Mail 13 Mar, 2012

NARRE Warren has swooped on three-time Gippsland Football League best and fairest winner Andy Soumilas.  The Magpies confirmed the Drouin and former Garfield star had committed to the club after almost joining them last season before staying at the Hawks.

Magpies coach Chris Toner said they were also confident of luring 2008 Norm Walker Medallist Brad Scalzo back to the club from Queensland Football League club Southport.

"Andy Soumilas is the current league best and fairest in the Gippsland league and he'll be very good for us," he said.

"We're also hopeful of signing Brad Scalzo from Southport."

The Magpies appear destined to head into the MPNFL Casey Cardinia League season as premiership favourites after netting Kain and Kerem Baskaya. Premiership player Jarrod Anderson, Matt Werner, Luke Ross and Chris Lee have also returned to the Magpies' nest.

"We've been pretty lucky that a few blokes have come back to the club after a year or so off," Toner said.

He said the Magpies had been keen to sign Kerem Baskaya to give themselves some more firepower up forward.

"I think he got about 70 goals [with Hampton Park] and that was with a limited preparation and didn't play all games," Toner said.

The Magpies clash with Echuca at Echuca on March 17 in the first of their preseason matches.

They will go head-to-head with former player Cameron Stewart, who is now coaching the Murray Bombers in the Goulburn Valley Football League.

The Magpies then clash with Karingal at Narre Warren on March 31 before finishing their preseason with a game against Noble Park at home.

Toner said the Magpies did inquire about former AFL star Brendan Fevola joining the club and said the Coleman Medallist might train with the club this year.

Fevola has signed with Ovens and Murray Football League team Yarrawonga after playing a handful of games with the Magpies last season when not on VFL duties with Casey

Scorpions.

"He's got to do what's best for himself. He might come down and train for us from time to time," Toner said.

"Whatever he wants to do we are supportive. I'm sure one day he will come back and play with us."

Narre Warren opens its season with an away clash against Beaconsfield on April 21

By Brad McGrath

Article first appeared www.caseyweeklyberwick.com.au 06 Mar, 2012

THE city of Wangaratta has lost thousands of dollars in revenue because a scheduled AFL match and the popular Wangaratta Cup were washed out.

The council, local businesses, sports associations and the State Government spent about $70,000 promoting the weekend that was to include a NAB Cup match between St Kilda and Essendon on Saturday and the running of the Wangaratta Cup yesterday.

Both were cancelled due to flooding.

Wangaratta acting mayor, Doug McPhie, said the community had invested considerable time, effort and money into making the weekend a success.

"We are very, very, very disappointed about what happened," Cr McPhie said.

"It was the culmination of years of effort. The game had sold out."

Locals yesterday said they were disappointed at Essendon for flying to the town rather than following the lead of St Kilda and making a 2 1/2 hour journey by bus from Melbourne.

The plane was forced to return to Melbourne after it was unable to land.

Wangaratta Magpies president Paul Challman said Essendon's no-show was "almost soul destroying".

The Magpies and another club Wangaratta Rovers provided catering for the game and losses could be as high as $40,000.

Mr Challman said he was unsure whether he would ask the AFL or Essendon to cover losses.

By John Dagge

Article first appeared Herald Sun March 05, 2012

BRENDAN Fevola's drawing power is so great that Ovens and Murray League clubs are prepared to pay him to play against them.

Myrtleford has taken the extraordinary step of offering Fevola in the region of $5000 for a one-off match, knowing he is every chance to kick 10 goals.

Fevola signed up for home games only with Yarrawonga this season, but rival clubs are desperate for him to visit their grounds and boost gate takings.

Yarrawonga finds itself in the amazing position of sitting back and allowing opposing clubs to fund its full-forward.

Myrtleford hopes to get about 5000 fans to its home game in Round 4, mindful that Jason Akermanis attracted a similar crowd at Milawa last year.

Myrtleford president Bill O'Donohue said yesterday: "I was sitting at home dreaming one night and I thought I'd ring the president of Yarrawonga and ask if (Fevola) could play in our home game."

O'Donohue was coy about the identity of the lone supporter who had dug deep.

"He's a friend of mine ... it's just a passionate friend who helps me out with a bit of money," O'Donohue said.

"I'm not saying how much it is ... that's his business and my business."

Asked if the league was happy about a club paying an opposition player, O'Donohue said: "I haven't had any feedback from them not being happy about it."

By Mark Stevens

Article first published The Herald Sun, March 02, 2012

SOUTH Bendigo and Balwyn football clubs will honour the memory of Shaun Bergin later this month.

The clubs announced yesterday that each season they will play for the Shaun Bergin Memorial Cup, starting at the QEO on March 31 this year.

Bergin tragically passed away in September last year after suffering severe head injuries in an on-field incident while playing for Balwyn in the Eastern Football League.

Bergin played his junior football with South Bendigo before being given a rookie listed by Hawthorn.

He returned to play senior football with South Bendigo from 2007 until 2010 playing 69 games and kicking 75 goals.

The clubs expect the inaugural match will commence a tradition that brings together family, friends and team-mates of Shaun to celebrate his life.

The annual match will rotate between the respective clubs' home grounds as the final lead-up to their respective seasons.

The match starts at 2pm and entry is by gold coin donation.

By Adam Bourke

Article first appeared The Bendigo Advertiser 01 Mar, 2012

AFL Victoria Chairman Peter Jackson released the Review Into Football In Country Victoria last week.

Following on from the announcement by AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou of a review of the structure of football across country Victoria in May, the final report was today handed down by AFL Victoria Chairman Peter Jackson.

WorkSafe Victorian Country Football League (VCFL) CEO Steven Reaper welcomed the delivery of the final report,

"The report's findings and subsequent recommendations had been compiled after all affected stakeholders were provided with an opportunity to provide input into the review.

The WorkSafe VCFL have played an active role through providing its own submission along with encouraging all affiliates to participate throughout the process".

Reaper also went on to say,

"Given the thoroughness of the review's findings and subsequent recommendations, that the WorkSafe VCFL would not be in a position to make any comments in regards to the review until it had had time to digest and effectively analyse the review. This will include discussions between the Directors and Senior Management of the VCFL at the next WorkSafe VCFL Board meeting which is scheduled to take place in late October".

Article first appeared www.vcfl.com.au 17 October, 2011