Ian Wales calls for league intervention to stop players switching competitions

Several players played in the Riverina and Farrer league competitions over the weekend after the O&M put its season on hold for the next fortnight in the wake of the snap lockdown announced in Victoria last Thursday.

Albury stars Jacob and Lucas Conlan played for former club Griffith last Saturday.

High-profile Tiger Jeff Garlett could follow suit this weekend after lodging a permit to join Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong.

Siblings Adam and Lachie Flagg played for Northern Jets in the Farrer league.

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Wangaratta Rovers duo Tyler Cornish and Tom Thynne also played for former club Palm Beach Currumbin in the QAFL.

With no O&M again this week, several more players could explore their options of switching competitions with the Hume league also set to resume this weekend after a general bye.

Wales was outraged to learn that players were allowed to switch leagues.

The outspoken president said NSW based O&M clubs already have a 'massive advantage' over their Victorian counterparts in regards to still being able to train as normal.

"NSW clubs can train as normal and now you're telling me can switch leagues as well? - What a joke," Wales said.

"It's a massive advantage because if you are in Victoria, you can't do a thing.

"When you can't train together it's tempting for blokes in winter to miss a session and have a hot pie instead.

"I know it's a state government decision in regards to training and that it is an anomaly of COVID-19.

"But surely the league should be questioning whether it's fair for players to switch leagues.

"If a NSW based club happens to win the flag, will the victory be tainted by COVID and the massive advantage they have got at the minute?

"I think it will but I'm the first to admit I would be doing the same thing at Myrtleford if in the same situation."

League general manager Craig Millar conceded Wales raised a valid point.

However, Millar said the league's hands were tied in regards to player movement.

"I can see where Ian is coming from but the short answer is the league can't stop players from switching clubs," Millar said.

"The jurisdiction on player transfers is between the AFL and the clubs.

"There was a COVID-19 permit system which started last year and if this lockdown in Victoria is extended is something that the league may have to look at.

"But with only a seven day lockdown at present, that is not a consideration.

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