AFL North-East Border hands down final report into Corowa Cluster

Radical changes including Corowa-Rutherglen dropping its reserves team and forming alliances with surrounding clubs for the interchange of players not required at senior level have been put on hold.

The long-awaited release of the Corowa Cluster final report was brought forward by AFL NEB to ensure clubs had as much time as possible to shore up playing lists for 2018.

But the AFL NEB retains the right to step in and make change before the start of next season.

General manager John O’Donohue said survival instincts had kicked-in at clubs with the Ovens and Murray league board of directors also facing a revolt from other clubs about the Roos’ earlier plans not to field reserves.

“If we enforce something and it doesn’t have the local buy-in then it will fail,” he said.

“Reform needs to happen at senior and junior level and if we don’t see any meaningful change then we will be forced to step in so the next four months are pretty important for all clubs in that area.

“But we can’t back away from the fact that area needs to rationalise the number of teams and they can’t expect to get better outcomes if they keep presenting the same way.”

The Corowa-Rutherglen and CDHBU proposed alliance fizzled out last month when CDHBU had a re-think on plans to not field junior teams by dropping its only remaining under-age side.

The move has bought some crucial time for incoming Corowa-Rutherglen coach Marc Almond to recruit players to the club which has gone two seasons without winning a match at senior level and forfeiting three reserves games this year.

Establishment of a Corowa Cluster focus group has also been recommended.

“This is not about just dropping recommendations and saying ‘good luck boys’,” O’Donohue said.

“It is about working through it and getting a better picture of what is reality and what is possible.

“Retaining an Ovens and Murray presence in that area is pretty crucial.”

The final report was sent to clubs on Thursday.