An “unprecedented” fine imposed on Culcairn after last season has been significantly reduced.
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Culcairn president Brendan Sheather has been instructed not to publicise the new figure, but he did admit the suspension time-frame has been brought forward three months to the end of the season.
“I think both sides have been in the wrong as far as our football-netball club and the league as well,” he said.
“It was all down to process at the start of it and we’re pretty happy with the way we went about it.”
I think both sides have been in the wrong as far as our football-netball club and the league as well.
- Brendan Sheather
The Lions questioned the league on two issues, the size of the fine and the league’s decision to launch an investigation, with the same body handing down the penalty.
The league had always maintained though the investigation officer was independent.
“I think the league’s rules are OK (with the investigation),” Sheather said.
“There was a bit of conjecture there (with the fine), we were probably right to question that.
“Obviously with the fine being well reduced, I think the board knew with that penalty, they couldn’t really do that.
“It was common ground in the end, both parties agreed and we move on.”
Dane Hallihan was suspended for four matches in August and then Tim Haines received the same ban for rough conduct.
Haines fronted the tribunal, with league board members claiming animosity from disgruntled Culcairn supporters.
The Lions then played Rand-Walbundrie-Walla in the first semi-final two days later, with officials again alleging abuse was directed at them.
Meanwhile, Culcairn’s hopes of pushing past last year’s preliminary final have received a boost, signing Albury products Ben Gould, Caleb Simmonds and Brad Sheridan.
Gould played two senior games last year, Simmonds three the previous year, while Sheridan played 15 reserves matches in 2017.
“Our recruiting this year is based around people affiliated with our club,” Sheather said.
“Jed Andrew played with Caleb at Albury and he’s good mates with Ben Gould.”
The Lions have also signed Dennis Pedemont, who played alongside former Albury powerhouse Andy Carey in The Rock-Yerong Creek’s 2015 premiership team.
The versatile midfielder was named in the Farrer League’s representative team that year, prior to joining his brother at Tocumwal.
And Shaun Turvey has also joined the Lions after playing 17 senior games with O and M club Corowa-Rutherglen in the past two years, including 16 in 2016.
“We just wanted to have a little bit of depth this year,” Sheather said.