Chaos looms on the verge of Omeo District Football Netball League’s (ODFNL) finals series with the final home and away round meeting between Bruthen and Swan Reach set to be abandoned across all grades of football and netball due to community safety concerns.
The ODFNL executive will meet online with all clubs tonight (Thursday, August 7) to confirm the exact course of action, however Bruthen Football Netball Club has already released the following statement:
Based on external advice the ODFNL in conjunction with the Swan Reach Football Netball Club (SRFNC) and the Bruthen Football Netball Club (BFNC) wish to advise that the scheduled netball and football matches to be played at Bruthen Recreation Reserve this Saturday, August 9, have been cancelled. It has been decided that issues which have been occurring in the community have the potential to impact these matches. In the interest of safety to players, officials and the public, the ODFNL, BFNC and SRFNC have made this call. At this stage the executive propose that all Swan Reach and Bruthen teams will be allocated two points, except for 12 and Under netball teams who don’t play finals. As Swan Reach and Omeo Benambra are clearly in first and second position on the 12&U ladder with the same points and similar percentage they have both been declared premiers.
We are aware that this decision will deny some teams the chance of getting the four points they need to get into the finals. With this in mind, we have given clubs today to comprehend these matters and a chance to contribute to the decision that the executive must make tonight.
The league’s official decision will not be made before 8pm this evening.
The ODFNL finals series is set to get underway on Saturday, August 16. Swan Reach currently holds top position in senior football with Bruthen placed fourth.
