The WFNC and Yarrawonga Pigeons played a hard-fought seniors grand final which saw the Magpies win by the narrowest of margins, 3 points.
However on the eve of the 2023 season, the WFNC was stripped of its premiership flag for salary cap breaches in the 2022 season.
The AFLNEB Region Appeal Committee, having considered all submissions from the parties determined that the sanction imposed by the OMFNL was reasonable in the circumstances.
As such, the decision of the OMFNL to not recognise WFNC’s 2022 senior premiership will stand.
AFLNEB considers that the Region Appeal process was fair and equitable for both parties. It included two rounds of written submissions, before extensive deliberations by the AFLNEB Region Appeal Committee to reach its decision.
After the decision was announced last Thursday, the OMFNL released a statement as follows:
“The OMFNL needs to highlight that this decision is in no way being considered as a win. Situations of this nature cannot be measured on a scoreboard.
“In time, it will hopefully be acknowledged that the integrity of the competition was the league’s primary focus at all stages. With all the relevant information received, it had no alternative but to act in support of its own rules, the AFL Victoria Allowable Player Payment rules, and all OMFNL member clubs.
“The OMFNL acknowledges with the greatest respect the stresses that have been placed not only on the Wangaratta FNC players, volunteers, and supporters throughout this period, but all stakeholders of the competition. “The OMFNL is hopeful that the focus can now shift towards what has been an exciting season of football and netball as it continues to unfold.”
The decision means that there will be no senior football premiership recorded for the 2022 season.
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