Damian Cupido cleared by Permit Committee to join Brock-Burrum

Cupido signed with Corowa-Rutherglen in September, 2019, where he was paid a $3000 sign-on fee.

The 2020 season was wiped out by COVID and the former AFL forward confirmed last September he wouldn't play for the Roos.

He signed with Brock-Burrum as assistant coach the following month.

The Roos blocked two clearance applications from Cupido as they wanted to recoup that sign-on fee.

"Definitely it's justice prevails, the unjust part was me missing a game of footy last week when I didn't need to," Cupido revealed.

"It's been a horrible process to go through."

Cupido won't have to repay the sign-on fee.

He was asked if he was disappointed with the Roos.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't," he admitted.

"I did everything right by them when (former coach) Marc Almond first signed me, I didn't cause COVID.

"I went for the coaching job and missed out on that (to Peter German) and I was still prepared to play there after that, they said they were going in a different direction, which is fine, I accepted that, so for them to do this to me is pretty disappointing."

The Permit Committee, which made the decision, falls under the AFL.

"The Permit Committee has determined to approve the transfer of Damian Cupido from Corowa-Rutherglen FNC to Brocklesby-Burrumbuttock FC," AFL Southern NSW regional manager Marc Geppert said.

"The Permit Committee was satisfied that the grounds on which such transfer could be refused under the National Player Registration and Transfer Regulations did not apply.

"Both clubs were extremely professional and patient throughout this process."

Cupido can now play against Holbrook on Saturday.

"I suppose it's just relief that it's all over and I can understand where Corowa-Rutherglen is coming from," Brock-Burrum president Steve Koschitzke said.

A constant criticism of modern-day football is contracts can easily be broken, but Cupido maintains his case disproves the popular theory.

"The submission made by Corowa-Rutheglen was they believed Damian owed us money, but it wasn't like from a rule in the constitution, it was all about morals (of paying back the sign-on fee)," he stressed.

"I'm glad the right decision has been made and there's a bit of protection for players and contracts mean something, that's the most important thing (out of this)."

The Roos have moved on.

ALSO IN SPORT:

"We accept the decision, we've got a game to play and that's our focus," head of football Craig Spencer offered.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: