CORRYONG life member Evan Nicholas believes the Upper Murray would be making a huge mistake by joining the Tallangatta and District league next season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nicholas said the competition's working party proposal to amalgamate could fast-track the demise of the league and called for more time to explore options as the region recovered from bushfires and the coronavirus pandemic.
AFL NEB region general manager John O'Donohue called for calm on Monday saying the working party had merely followed the league's wishes by providing an alternative for the future.
The proposal to play most matches at Corryong has upset clubs with Bullioh, Cudgewa and Tumbarumba speaking out last week.
Nicholas said he understood the league was in trouble with numbers but said it would be unwise to make a snap decision which could be fatal.
"We are still regrouping up here," Nicholas said.
"It's been tough for a lot of people and one things that guts me the most is if they are telling me I can't have one more season as a Corryong Demon.
"That's the killer for a lot of us.
"We can't just pull up stumps like that without a last hurrah.
"What if we moved to the TDFL and it didn't work, where would that leave us?"
O'Donohue stressed no final decisions had been made and said it was up to clubs to decide their futures.
"The working party was asked to put a model together which they have done," O'Donohue said.
"Everyone wants the best outcome for football and netball in the Upper Murray.
"This model is an alternative to the present format. There shouldn't be angst against the people who are involved in the process.
"The working party has acted on behalf of the league."
Nicholas said he seriously doubted an Upper Murray league side could be competitive in the TDFL.
He also believes the Corryong community would be hurt financially with more money being spent outside the township after away matches.
"Most of our clubs have had facility upgrades as well and it just seems like a waste of money," he said.