The Courier |
MELTON South star Leigh Burke could be leaving the Panthers after asking for a clearance to play for his former side, South Bendigo.
Burke, a dual Victorian Country representative and Ballarat Football League interleague star, approached the club late last week and asked to be cleared immediately.
He did not play in the Panthers’ 118-point drubbing of Sebastopol on Saturday.
Melton South president Peter Earl yesterday confirmed Burke had asked to leave the club and said a meeting tonight would determine his playing future at the club.
If Burke chose to leave the club, there was no guarantee he would be granted a clearance, Earl said.
Burke, originally from Donald, played at South Bendigo until 2007, then moved back to Donald in 2008 before coming to Melton South last year.
Bendigo South is sitting third on the Bendigo Football League ladder.
Earl said his club would fight tooth and nail to try to keep Burke at the club, but conceded it was unlikely it would be able to retain him.
All clearances within AFL Victoria must be finalised by June 30 – which is next Sunday.
“We’re still trying to talk him out of it,” Earl said.
“He came to the club last week where some home truths were said.
“If he has changed his mind, we would love to have him back. He’s a great player.”
Burke has been named among the Panthers’ best in four out of seven matches for the club this year.
He was best on ground for Melton South in his most recent match for the club, an unexpected 50-point drubbing at the hands of Lake Wendouree in round eight.
The 192-centimetre key defender was near best on ground for Ballarat Football League when it played against Bendigo in the AFL Victoria interleague clash in May, where he came up against a number of former teammates and opponents.
“I think at the moment the chances of him going are about 80 per cent,” Earl said.
“It’s disappointing for us, but I guess that happens in footy. When they (players) sign a contract, that is something they have to commit to and we have to commit to as well. Leigh is aware of that.”
Melton South had its biggest win of the year on Saturday, but faces the bye before a potentially season-defining match against East Point in two weeks’ time.
If Ballarat lose to North Ballarat City next week, the Panthers will sit just one win out of finals spot on the ladder.
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