COROWA’S footballing landscape could undergo a dramatic overhaul next season with the Roos and CDHBU to step up talks in coming days.
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Steering committees from the Ovens and Murray and Hume league clubs will meet on Monday night to fine tune a proposal with assistance from a facilitator.
A combined public forum is then expected to be put on the agenda.
While officials from both clubs are remaining tight-lipped about the proposal, it is believed they would fall under the same name but retain a presence in their respective competitions.
A similar model is being used by Bairnsdale which has teams in the Gippsland league but not reserves so excess senior players can filter back to the district leagues.
Changes to the junior structure is believed to be another key point in the proposal.
CDHBU president Jarrod Hanrahan said talks between the clubs had been fruitful with both identifying a lack of players and volunteers as major concerns.
“Corowa had a proposal, we shuffled a few things around and it went to committees and boards and the next step is to investigate the proposal further,” Hanrahan said.
“I guess we are at base one.
“We will sit down on Monday and try and get an independent to help us draw the proposal up to get it out in the community.
“We have all the figures and all the cluster stuff and everyone is sick of it.
“Neither club just wants to sit on their hands so that’s why we are going to take a close look at the proposal.”
Corowa-Rutherglen’s senior, reserve and under-18 teams kicked a combined total of four goals against Wodonga Raiders last weekend.
It has been forced to forfeit its next three reserve grade matches.
“The decision wasn’t made lightly but player welfare was a priority in reaching the decision,” senior coach Terry Burgess said.
“The club has sustained significant injuries.
“We have also considered its brand and image plus the integrity of the competition in making this decision.”
Neighbouring club Billabong Crows are also in a precarious position with numbers and could become involved in talks.
Former Coreen and District and Hume league club Coleambally has called a crisis meeting for next week amid concerns about dwindling player numbers.
