Vote to decide Farrer League fate
This article originally appeared on The Daily Advertiser website.
By Coutney Rees
Only one thing stands in the way of Barellan’s ambition to become the ninth Farrer League Club after the Northern Riverina Football League (NRFL) agreed to release the club at its annual general meeting.
The Two-Blues now need the approval of the 34 AFL Riverina clubs.
Delegates from each club will meet at an extraordinary meeting the Rules Club next Wednesday to vote on Barellan’s future.
Clubs from Riverina and Farrer Leagues, as well as South West and Wagga juniors will all vote on Barellan’s application.
Barellan need a majority, 51 per cent, to get through to the Farrer League.
After announcing its interest in joining the Farrer League in August, Barellan has meet a number of criterium to push for re-inclusion.
Needing to gain approval of the AFL Riverina board, Barellan was informed last month it must agree to four conditions before progressing.
AFL Riverina board member Jason McPherson revealed that the Two-Blues had agreed to the conditions to maintain its Auskick Centre, create a relationship with Northern Jets over under 17 and junior teams, pay a $5000 bond to allow Barellan into the Farrer League cost centre and not field teams in the South West junior competition.
“It’s all systems go and they’ve got past the second base now,” McPherson said.
“They’ve got approval from the AFL Riverina board, the OK from Northern Riverina and now it’s up to the clubs to vote at the Rules Club on Wednesday night.”
The Farrer League competition management committee has already endorsed Barellan’s move.
The Two-Blues last played in the Farrer League in 1992 and won their last Farrer flag in 1987.
They joined the NRFL in 1993 and have been there ever since, winning five senior premierships over the past two decades.
It is believed Barellan will receive endorsement from a majority of clubs, however if they are unsuccessful can appeal to AFL NSW/ACT.
In good news for the NRFL, Condobolin will re-enter the fold in 2015.
The logistics of the move are expected in be finalised next month.
