ALBURY -based players will learn in the next 48 hours if they are allowed to play in this year's AFL Riverina Championship.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The pending clearances were discussed during an AFL Riverina board meeting earlier this week with a final decision imminent.
Osborne shapes as the biggest winner if Border players are given the green light with Joel Mackie, Elliott Powell, Zach Bye and Jed Griffin presently sidelined following a recommendation against travelling by the NSW Government.
Albury star Brayden O'Hara (Wagga Tigers) and Corowa-Rutherglen full-forward Trent Castles (Mangoplah-Cookardinia United Eastlakes) are also sweating on the outcome.
Wagga Tigers received a huge boost on Thursday when Albury rover Jake Gaynor was cleared to play after failing a transfer screening last week.
Former players Shaun Campbell and Sam Lucas were also ticked off after missing their surprise opening round loss to Hume league premier Osborne.
"After the extensive screening process the clubs and individuals undertook the players in question have all been cleared to play this weekend," AFL Riverina said in a statement.
Wagga Tigers coach Troy Maiden said it was a relief the issue has been resolved ahead of Saturday's match against Ganmain.
"Last week they (Gaynor, Campbell and Lucas) were in our side up until we were just about to start getting ready to play, when the reserves were running out on the ground," Maiden said.
"It did throw us out of whack a little bit and we brought in some guys who had played reserves prior.
"It wasn't ideal, but we've moved on and looking forward to this week."
Player permits will close on Friday night.
The biggest concern for Albury-based players could be the dramatic spike in Victorian coronavirus numbers on Thursday with 723 reported cases.