Ovens and Murray league arch-rivals Wangaratta Rovers and Wangaratta are embroiled in a social media storm after a photograph emerged of people congregating on the Hawks' ground seemingly in defiance of social distancing rules.
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The photo was posted to the O and M league's Facebook page from the account of former Wangaratta player Mitch Jensen with the comment: "Same rules apply for Rovers?" in response to advice from AFLNEB that no sanctioned training could take place yet.
O and M general manager Sean Barrett confirmed a "please explain" had been sought from Rovers who were furious they had been implicated in the drama.
"We have done some preliminary investigating and I can guarantee that there were no coaches involved or organised training," Rovers football director Barry Sullivan said.
"We have got 50 netballers, 60 woman footballers and more than 60 footballers involved in the club.
"It is not unexpected that groups of two go down to the ground and find other groups down there as well.
"I also have heard and it can be validated that a family of five was on the ground that has nothing to do with the club that were using the ground for the purpose of exercise.
"So it was just a coincidence that they happened to be all on the ground at the same time."
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Mr Barrett said the league was also investigating.
'It's easy to presume from the photo that the whole group is there training together," he said.
"We want their explanation first, but on face value it doesn't look great.
"Players have been able to have a kick in pairs for quite a while.
"But if it was more than that, then they are subject to the same level of scrutiny as anyone else in the public domain."
AFLNEB regional manager John O'Donohue declined to comment.
Mr Sullivan conceded there was heightened awareness about adhering to restrictions after an Adelaide Crows coach was suspended and players received suspended sentences for recent breaches.
"There is always going to be some mischief between the two clubs," he said.
"I don't know the individual who put the photo up, if they were a young person or a senior person.
"But I think it is naive by whoever did it.
"I'm not sure whether they did it for malicious reasons."
The Border Mail attempted to contact Jensen, who played his last match for Wangaratta in the 2018 grand final loss to Albury before returning to Melbourne, for comment.
Rovers coach Daryn Cresswell said he had only been to Wangaratta once since the pandemic worsened.
Wangaratta Magpies president Tony Goodison said he had no knowledge of the post until he was shown by a family member.