![PREMIERS: Could Osborne play in the Riverina league this year? PREMIERS: Could Osborne play in the Riverina league this year?](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/asdkjfewiKKD/697b1c4a-9e91-4f11-8320-d16d32d1a21a.jpg/r0_238_4654_2865_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
AFL Riverina chairman Michael Irons says the league is "open minded" in regards to Osborne's radical proposal to switch competitions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Osborne president Jason Gooden revealed the bombshell proposal last week.
Gooden said that the reigning premier had made initial inquiries into whether joining the Riverina league was a realistic option this year.
Coach Joel Mackie remains fearful that the Tigers could lose more than half of their list if the Riverina and Farrer leagues started this season.
Mackie claims his players remain desperate to play this year and had been inundated with inquiries from players hoping to switch leagues since the Hume league cancelled its season.
Both competitions announced last week a proposed start date of July 18.
Irons confirmed Osborne had been working hard behind the scenes in regards to whether it could switch leagues this season.
"We haven't really gone into any detailed discussions but there have been initial inquiries from Osborne," Irons said.
"It was probably just more the question was asked whether we would consider welcoming Osborne into the league.
"If any club that didn't have a competition to play in and we were able to get going, we would consider whether it would be possible for any other clubs to join our league.
"We are open minded and will consider the proposal."
IN OTHER NEWS
The Riverina league comprises nine sides and if Osborne joined the competition it would eliminate the bye.
Irons said most Riverina league clubs he had spoken to were open to the idea of Osborne joining the competition.
"There has been a bit of informal discussion with clubs about the possibility of Osborne joining the league and most clubs have been open minded to it as well," he said.
"So we are currently reviewing the relevant by-laws.
"Knowing that it will only be for a shortened season we are checking whether the existing by-laws still apply or not because of the circumstances."
Osborne is a powerhouse in the Hume league and won the flag last year.
"They have obviously been a successful club in the Hume league," he said.
"I'm sure they would be more than competitive in the Riverina league."