Former Victorian Country Football league boss and review chairman Ron Montgomery, has spent that last seven months speaking to clubs in every competition in the region, and handed down suggestions to sustain and enhance the level of competition in the next five years.

However, Habel said it is up to clubs to pick over Montgomery’s report and formulate opinions about what possible changes should occur.

“The next three weeks are imperative for the clubs, there are people out there with a lot of football knowledge and maybe its time for them to tap their president on the shoulder and say ‘you know what I think could work’,” Habel said.

“They need to pick it (the report) apart and say what is good and what is rubbish, but not to chuck it on the pile of things to do and say ‘same old same old’.

“In the eyes of NSW/ACT football, there needs to be change.

“But right now clubs have the opportunity to submit their proposals to the board by August 11.”

The 23-page Montgomery document was tabled before the regional board meeting this week, but Habel stressed that the recommendations are just that, and more consolation will be undertaken between clubs that are not happy with what has been suggested.

Habel also said the next three weeks were crucial for the game to ensure “player retention” continues and that the next generation of players is brought up from the Auskick program.

The Southern AFL boss said in questioning the future of the game, he hoped clubs would look outside their own boundaries and consider what is of benefit to others bordering them.

The report and subsequent club recommendations will be further considered by the Southern Regional Board at a meeting on Monday, August 18.