A decision on North Shore’s football playing future appears imminent following a trio of meetings in recent days.
As K rock Football reported on March 14, AFL Barwon met with newly-appointed North Shore president Maryian Szponar and representatives from the other 11 GFNL clubs on Friday.
That was followed by a meeting of the AFL Barwon Commission on Sunday before Szponar again met with the local governing body yesterday (Monday).
Rival clubs have been told a call could be made within 48 hours.
The Seagulls have been under the microscope since a letter from AFL Barwon asking to meet certain requirements by the end of February became public earlier this month.
Concerns about player numbers had AFL Barwon requesting North Shore provide written confirmation of fielding seniors and reserves teams, completion of player registrations for at least 60 players, and contracting a “sufficient number of players” for its senior team.
Since the letter became public, training numbers have improved, with up to 40 on the track and registrations passing 50.
With Opening Round only 18 days away, rival clubs are keen for clarity, with one official saying, “It’s dragged on like an episode of MAFS (Married at First Sight)”.
It is understood North Shore’s netball section will be allowed to take the court if its football division doesn’t proceed.
However, that is likely to leave an uneven football fixture, where seven clubs will play 16 games, and four will play 17 games.
Grovedale, Newtown & Chilwell, St Joseph’s and St Mary’s are the clubs drawn to play the Seagulls once.
During North Shore’s absence from netball, a match ratio ladder was employed by AFL Barwon, which may be revisited for football in the event of the Seagulls’ non-involvement this year.
X: @krockfootball
