Despite Yarrawonga being runner’s up in the tight grand final there will be no premier for 2022 with the league announcing that “the 2022 OMFNL Senior football premiership cannot be recognised due to the AFL Victoria APP Rule breach”.
At a Special Board Meeting of the SS&A Ovens and Murray Football Netball League on Monday night the board acted under the following OMFNL Bylaw:
29. INFRINGEMENTS
a) Where the OMFNL is of the opinion that a Club or any coach, player, trainer, official or employee of a club has contravened the provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association or the Bylaws the OMFNL may deal with the matter in any manner which in its absolute discretion it thinks fit.
OMFNL Chairman David Sinclair said that whilst aware of the emotion surrounding the decision, particularly to the players, volunteers and supporters of the Wangaratta FNC, the league remains committed to the Allowable Player Payment Rules and absolute integrity around this.
“Where a breach is proven, innocent mistake or otherwise, the league simply cannot award a Premiership where sanctions are handed out that bring into focus the integrity of the competition,” Mr Sinclair said.
As well as being stripped of the premiership, the Magpies will also play the first two matches of the 2023 season for no points with the Pies and Pigeons set to play the grand final rematch in round 3, the first time Wangaratta will be playing for points in 2023.
