HOW many AFL recruits is too many?
That's the debate raging in the Ovens and Murray Football League after the Yarrawonga Pigeons added a seventh former AFL player to its list.
The reigning premier recently signed three-time Geelong premiership ruckman Brad Ottens for a handful of matches, plus finals, this season.
The Pigeons now boast 776 games of AFL experience after signing former Richmond forward Kayne Pettifer this summer and the headline-grabbing recruitment of Brendan Fevola last year.
Of the magnificent seven, former Richmond player Craig Ednie was born and bred in Yarrawonga and Steve McKee's father played for the Pigeons, while Tim Hargreaves and Michael Stevens have played many seasons at the club.
But Yarrawonga's recruiting drive has drawn the ire of footy fans on social media, who say high-profile players could push local footballers out of the team or destroy the league's competitiveness.
Ovens and Murray general manager Aaron McGlynn said the benefits of Yarrawonga's star signings were debatable.
"Sure, for Yarrawonga it's a good thing but you could probably talk to the other nine clubs and they're probably not overly happy," he said.
"But in the level of competition we're in, the teams are there to win and you can't really begrudge a side for doing their utmost to win a premiership."
Mr McGlynn said all the Pigeons' ex-AFL players were aged over 30 and most were unlikely to play beyond this season.
"If they're going for short-term glory, then it's probably going to pay off for them but I don't know in the long term if it's going to work," he said.
"You might find that after this season Yarrawonga comes back to the pack it's a wait and see."
