LAVINGTON will seek compensation from Dederang-Mount Beauty before clearing contracted defender Matt Lee to the Tallangatta and District Football League club.
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Panthers’ president Peter Barwick yesterday said “there was a lot of water to go under the bridge” before Lee was released from the second year of his contract.
“I must admit I was a bit surprised to read about it in the paper,” Barwick said.
“I have spoken to Matty about his circumstances but he’s a contracted player and that seems to have been forgotten along the way.
“You would have thought Dederang would have been in touch with our executive.
“Let’s just say there is a
bit of work to do before anyone is cleared.”
Lee has emerged as one of the most reliable defenders in the Ovens and Murray over the past two years with his departure leaving the Panthers light in defence with Jarrod Hillary to miss the season with a knee injury.
Dederang-Mount Beauty announced the signing of Lee and dual Brisbane Lions premiership player Daniel Bradshaw on Wednesday.
Bomber coach Marc Almond last night declined to comment.
The clearance wrangle comes only weeks after Wodonga star Brett Doswell announced he planned to join Hume Football League club Holbrook despite having the second year of his contract to run.
Wodonga officials have declined to comment on Doswell’s future at John Flower Oval.
Star Bulldog Matt Shir has also been strongly linked to the Brookers and rival O and M club Albury.