SEA Lake-Nandaly Tigers’ long battle to continue their football existence in the North Central Football League has finally ended, with the AFL Victoria Country appeals panel ruling the club be admitted to the league in 2016.
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The Tigers – after winning the final Mallee league premiership – had stated they wanted to play in the North Central league, but votes from other clubs in the league had knocked them back.
The appeals panel decided on Thursday it would include the Tigers in the league, with AFL Victoria Country manager Jim Cail saying it was the smart choice.
“The entry of Sea Lake-Nandaly into the North Central League was seen as a valid and preferred option,” he said.
“This was after taking into account the sustainability of the club as well as all considerations presented by the relevant stakeholders.”
AFL Central Victoria regional general manager Paul Hamilton said a smooth transition for the club and league was paramount.
“We accept that the panel had a difficult decision to make and welcome that the matter has now been finalised,” he said.
“It is now essential that all parties join together to ensure the club is welcomed into the league.
“There is a lot of work required by the club, the league and the league’s clubs to ensure this smooth transition.”
AFL Wimmera Mallee regional general manager Bruce Petering said the correct decision had been made.
“This has been an uncertain time for the club and it is pleasing that they can move forward with some certainty about their furture.”
The North West structural review recommended the disbandment of the Mallee Football League at the conclusion of the 2015 season, which left five clubs in limbo.
Southern Mallee Giants will now play in the Horsham District Football Netball League, Woomelang-Lascelles is folding, while Walpeup-Underbool and Ouyen United are set for a merger.
Thursday’s Sea Lake-Nandaly decision ends the speculation of the clubs’ futures.
Tigers’ president Paul Summerhayes said to finally know where the club was headed in 2016 was a relief.
“We’re pretty excited about it to be honest,” he said.
“It’s been a bit of a drawn out process which has made it hard.
“It’s pretty hard to keep the existing players when we don’t know where we’re going.”
Mr Summerhayes said the similarities to the Mallee league meant the Tigers would be comfortable with the transition.
“It’s where we wanted to go, and we’ve always admired the North Central league,” he said.
“It was a very similar structure to what we had.
“The way we finished the season this year we think we’ll go pretty well next year but we’ve got a lot of 35-year-olds who might pull the pin.
“We’re going to make a lot of changes.”
