The Mogo Warriors and Tathra Sea Eagles have been denied entry to Group 16 next season as the clubs did not satisfy admittance criteria after a presentation at the group’s general meeting on Wednesday night.
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The Group required clubs to field three teams including a first grade side, or to enter a portability agreement with a first grade club.
The Warriors, who were brimming with excitement in October about the opportunity to field a club at Mogo, could only aim to field a reserve grade side.
Tathra was also unsuccessful and, similar to Mogo, could only field a reserve grade team.
Tathra and Mogo representatives addressed the committee at the meeting, which all clubs in Group 16 attended.
A secret ballot followed and the Group’s decision was handed down.
Group 16 president Dean Lynch praised Mogo and Tathra representatives for their ambition, but said the clubs’ inability to field a first grade team was the big issue.
“The current rule is three teams including a first grade and I asked Tathra and Mogo to re-apply next year,” Lynch said.
“The volunteers were prepared to have a go on behalf of their teams and people don’t recognise the hard work that goes into it.”
Tathra Sea Eagles secretary Peter Finucane he said he didn’t really want to say too much.
“I am very disappointed at Group 16’s decision not the let Tathra participate,” he said.
The lone successful applicant was Bermagui-Cobargo Eels, who formed a portability partnership with the Eden Tigers.
The Eels will field a reserve grade team and pair with Eden, similar to Merimbula and Candelo’s partnership in 2015.
“Cobargo grabbed that opportunity and unfortunately Tathra and Mogo was unable to bring that sort of proposal to the table,” Lynch said.
Group 16 committee member John Cornall said the competition was “enhanced” by Cobargo’s return, but hoped to see Tathra and Mogo back with another proposal.
“Ultimately [the group] has to make a decision that is the best thing for the competition,” he said.
Fielding a first grade team also allows clubs to host up to four games in an afternoon (under 18s, women’s league tag, reserve and first grade) which Lynch said he believed helped fans across the South Coast.
“There will be a full card on Saturdays and Sunday and we want to make a real event that people want to come and watch,” Lynch said.
Group 16’s draw should be completed by next week.
