CRICKET Albury-Wodonga chairman Michael Erdeljac believes better communication could have avoided a Border clash between the provincial grand final and Ovens and Murray's season opener.
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Erdeljac said he was originally under the impression the Ovens and Murray would kick off its season outside Albury on March 27.
It was announced last week that Albury would host Yarrawonga in a twilight match from about 5.30pm.
The provincial decider is set to be held at Alexandra Park.
"I'm not going to say I'm disappointed or start going off but it could have been done better," Erdeljac said.
"With us being the major summer and winter sporting codes, it could have been done better.
"We have worked well together previously with COVID-19.
"My biggest beef is the Ovens and Murray were looking at having a season launch in Wangaratta and we find out within a period of time it's a twilight game in Albury.
"I understand fixturing can be difficult but a game in Wang or Myrtleford would have been a lot better.
"I would be disappointed it if started before the end of the cricket game."
CAW has fixturing rights for Lavington Sports Oval, Bunton Park, Birallee Park and John Flower Oval until March 31 each year.
It however has no control of the Albury Sportsground.
The ground is leased to the Tigers, but in a separate arrangement to other sporting clubs in the city which use council-owned facilities, the Ovens and Murray club manages the venue on an "exclusive" use basis.
Ovens and Murray chairman David Sinclair believes the necessary conversations took place in the lead-up to the draw being released.
"I can tell you Mick and I had two conversations in regards to the draw and his biggest concern was us playing football at the same time as the cricket," Sinclair said.
"That is why we have fixtured a twilight game.
"We wanted Albury to get the game because they had been allocated a similar season-opening game this year which they had put a lot of time into.
"We've always worked well with CAW and I think open conversations have again taken place."
Erdeljac said he had more meaningful discussions with Lavington president Mark Sanson and Tallangatta league president Rex Gray in regards to the fixturing.
Yarrawonga could be the biggest loser as Harry Wheeler and Matt Casey could be involved in the Wangaratta and District Cricket Association grand final.
They play for second-placed Yarrawonga-Mulwala.
