THE embattled Myrtleford Football Club should only drop its reserve grade team as a last resort, according to Ovens and Murray general manager Tom O’Connor.
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O’Connor said yesterday the league had encouraged the Saints to fight on despite coach Paul Muraca saying its reserve grade team had a core of only six players.
Although Myrtleford called on Albury players Jeremy Masterson, Tim Scott, David King and Mark Wallace at the weekend, it still lost by 286 points in one of the biggest losses in recent O and M history.
Several Wangaratta players, including former Ovens and Murray representative Matt Curran, came to the rescue of the Saints the previous week.
“I spoke to Bill (O’Donohue) this morning and we have encouraged Myrtleford to exhaust all avenues before dropping a side,” O’Connor said.
“We want Myrtleford to field three sides if they possibly can.
“At this stage I would expect them to put three on the field this weekend, but obviously we are going to find out more as the week progresses.
“Hopefully it can be worked through.”
Myrtleford’s players are expected to meet in coming days to discuss its plight and, if the reserve grade team is withdrawn, the Alpine Eagles would be pushed back to a later starting time.
It has come close to forfeiting on several occasions this season after being hit by injuries and unavailability and the timing would appear right if it chose that action as the Saints have played every team in the competition once.
The one shining light for Myrtleford has been the form of the Alpine Eagles who sit in fourth position and appear set to play finals.
Saints president Bill O’Donohue could not be contacted for comment.