Weekly Times | WOOMELANG-Lascelles has opened up a “bidding war” with three nearby clubs as it seeks the best outcome for its members next season after the Mallee league folds.
The Cats, who were at one point going to pursue a move to the Golden Rivers league after their current competition closes at the end of this season, have abandoned the idea of going it alone and are now seeking a merger with several neighbours.
Woomelang-Lascelles president Shane Michael said the club expected to lose “a third of our families” going to Golden Rivers league due to the distance they would have to cover in some cases.
Last week Woomelang-Lascelles representatives met with representatives from fellow Mallee club Sea Lake-Nandaly and Golden Rivers club Nullawil, having earlier met with representatives from North Central club Birchip-Watchem.
A meeting will be held next Wednesday to discuss and vote on the proposals from the three clubs, but Michael said any vote would need to reach a particular majority to proceed.
But the The Weekly Times understands amalgamation is not on the table with at least one of those clubs.
Nullawil president Heath Pollington said their meeting did not involve talk of a merger, but rather what each club could “offer” one another if the Cats decided to fold.
Pollington said one option put forward was for the Cats to open up their junior ranks to Nullawil, on the condition Nullawil played one or more senior games at the Cats’ home ground each season.
Sea Lake-Nandaly president Paul Summerhayes said its board would table a proposal.
“It’s sort of a bidding war — what can each club offer them,” Summerhayes said.
“We’d be quite happy to offer a merger.”
Birchip-Watchem could not be reached for comment.
The final Mallee league home-and-away round was played at the weekend, with Walpeup-Underbool bowing out after an 84-point loss to the Tigers.
On Sunday Woomelang-Lascelles’ Trent Donnan won the last Mallee league best-and-fairest by two votes from the Kangaroos’ Arnold Kirby.
