IT had been a dream off-season for the Ovens and Murray Football Netball League.
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It seemed every week there was another club with another big name signing, great news for a competition which had been dominated by two clubs for the past three years.
Yarrawonga, of course, trumped them all with Brendan Fevola.
A football and marketing coup which even its rivals have sought to cash in on.
It had been hard to recall a season with a greater sense of anticipation than this one.
But in all the excitement, the Ovens and Murray has made a blunder which threatens to blight the competition.
No doubt its decision to change the draw so Fevola could play in Yarrawonga’s Easter Sunday clash was made with good intentions.
There are no arguments over that.
With Fevola pulling on the Pigeons’ jumper on a holiday weekend, a massive, money-spinning crowd was assured.
Good for footy? Of course.
The problem is Fevola is suspended, a minor misfortune the O?and?M has turned into a major controversy by allowing Yarrawonga and Wangaratta to bring their round-17 clash forward.
It will now be a stand-alone match the weekend before the season was scheduled to begin and gives both clubs a bye two weeks before the finals.
Fevola serves his suspension and is free to play on Easter Sunday.
Everybody’s a winner.
Or so the O&M thought.
Lavington was dumbfounded, Wangaratta Rovers disgusted and Albury, Wodonga, Wodonga Raiders and Corowa-Rutherglen have all expressed their anger and disappointment.
This would have been loud and clear if the O&M had consulted all its clubs before releasing the revised draw last Friday.
The Ovens and Murray clearly cherishes its integrity.
When it was revealed an online betting agency was offering exotic betting on Fevola, the league expressed concerns that such options posed a threat.
A draw is vital a instrument in any sporting competition.
Tampering with it for commercial interests sends a bad message and sets a dangerous precedent.
It must revert to the original draw.
There’ll be red faces but better to deal with that now than have a cloud hang over a season that promises so much.
