NORTH Albury and Culcairn look set to avoid a messy clearance wrangle over the services of James Demby for this season.
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Demby had been on the recruiting radar of three Ovens and Murray clubs before signing a two-year contract with Culcairn before Christmas.
Despite signing with the Lions, North Albury lodged a clearance for Demby this week.
Culcairn officials were surprised to learn of the clearance application and have since sought an explanation from North Albury.
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Hoppers coach Isaac Muller said they were unaware Demby had signed a contract until contacted by Culcairn.
"Obviously we wouldn't have lodged a clearance for James if we knew he was contracted," Muller said.
"Brendan Sheather from Culcairn contacted me on Wednesday and that was the first we sort of knew of any contract.
"We knew James had trained with Culcairn several times but not signed."
Culcairn officials were set to meet with Demby on Friday night to clarify his plans for this season.
Muller said the Hoppers were happy to walk away from pursuing Demby.
"Now we know that James has a contract we will just move on," he said.
"We don't won't to burn any bridges with other clubs.
"Obviously James is a required player at Culcairn.
"We will respect that.
"Trying to fight it won't win you any friends and we want to keep as strong as ties as we can with all the bush clubs."
After playing the bulk of his junior football with Collingullie, Demby has returned to the region through the army.
He was swayed to sign with the Lions through connections with Culcairn backman Jesse Sutherland.
Although Demby is yet to prove himself as a footballer, Muller said he had no doubt the former GWS Academy player would thrive in the O&M.
"From what I've seen from him at training, trust me, he can play," he said.
"I think he would fit in really well at the club.
"He can run 100m in 10.8 seconds.
"Although I haven't seen him play just the way he moves at training I would be very surprised if he didn't make a very good O&M player if he applied himself."
Shane Lenon coached Demby at Collingullie as a 17-year-old.
"He was only a pup back when I coached him," Lenon said.
"James had potential but being so young hadn't really proved himself.
"It will be interesting to see how he goes this season and I'm keen to follow his progress."
