Cootamundra's hopes of joining the Farrer League next season in a limited capacity have been quashed after their bid was rejected by the competition's clubs.
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Late on Friday afternoon, AFL Riverina confirmed it could not recommend Cootamundra's application based on the feedback of Farrer League clubs at a meeting earlier this week.
Many clubs had foreshadowed their concerns to The Daily Advertiser with the Blues' bid seemingly a lightning rod for worries already about what a restructured league looks like in 2023.
Cootamundra had hoped to move from the Canberra community league and field a reserve grade football side and two lower grades of netball in the Farrer League, in what might have been a test case leading into the change to tiered league options.
AFL Riverina chairman Michael Irons said the loss of club bye weeks, the impact on some footballers and netballers having to play, the pressure on volunteers, and potential financial impacts on clubs were all raised as points of objection. "We've let them know that we could not recommend the application to AFL Riverina clubs," Irons said.
"It's not really a board decision. It was going to go to a general meeting for clubs to vote on but we've said we're not in a position to recommend it based on the feedback."
Farrer League clubs also couldn't see the value in rushing through a change for next season in what might be the final year of the Farrer League in its current form.
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The AFL Riverina board is, however, keen to work with Cootamundra to try to find a spot for them following next year's restructure.
"Some clubs said it made sense for (Cootamundra) to wait 12 months until that new structure has been implemented," Irons said.
"We've given a commitment that we'll continue to work with them and they've agreed they'll target 2023."
Cootamundra was disappointed and the AFL Riverina board a little surprised but noted there wasn't going to be time to try to convince clubs to come around.
Irons noted that there's been plenty of pressure on clubs the last couple of years, including the upheaval throughout a review to lead into next year's revamp.
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