A meeting on Monday night between the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League, Wimmera Football League and Horsham District Football Netball League discussed the Cougars’ playing future. 

Cougars president Jason Gordon said his club had outgrown its current league and the club should have a chance to play against similar sized clubs.

“We want to give our members a chance to see what else is available,” he said. 

“We’re a fairly financially successful club and have enough juniors to get out on the park. 

“We don’t have enough to challenge clubs like Naracoorte that have schools with five times as many kids involved in the club.”

Gordon said the league’s salary caps were a huge concern for the club. 

“It’s a big concern that we might not be able to keep pace under the current spending and recruiting rules,” he said. 

“We had 10 to 14 players from Adelaide, which sustained the club for the past 10 or so years but we can’t get those guys under the new salary cap rules,” he said. 

Gordon said the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League’s attempts at equalisation had a limited effect. 

“There are a number of teams with big player rosters in the league,” he said. 

“When you’ve got fly-in players it disassociates your local sides.

“It isn’t as well regarded as local group success that the community has a connection to. 

“Gerang Kiata had about 270 people rock up to their reunion and they folded almost 20 years ago, which just shows the strong ties and relationships within sport. 

“We’ve got strong juniors set up, our under-17s are around the mark with six or so boys ready to play senior footy in the next couple of years.”

Gordon said a league like Horsham District could open up opportunities for the Cougars, given they host clubs with a similar population to their own. 

“That’s where we see our future, we want more time and effort spent on our residents, but before we can do that we need to make sure the playing field is level,” he said. 

Wimmera Football League commissioner Trevor Albrecht said they would welcome Kaniva-Leeor United to the league. 

AFL Victoria’s Jason Muldoon said Kaniva-Leeor United shouldn’t be worried about having nowhere to play. 

“If both leagues knock Kaniva-Leeor United back and then the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara League says they don’t want them back either we will find you a place to play,” he said. 

“While we don’t technically have an obligation, we do have a moral obligation to find you a place.”

Gordon said the ultimate goal was the survival of the club. 

The decision will come down to a voting process.