FARRER League representative coach Jason McPherson has called for “suspensions or fines” for two of the competition’s best players.
Marrar duo Brad Langtry and Brad Turner are under fire for not contacting McPherson about their availability for last Saturday’s representative game against Picola League.
McPherson sent a summary of Farrer League’s representative campaign to club coaches this week where he thanked them for their support and provided a spreadsheet of each player’s game time.
He added that the only negative was player unavailability, in particular two players that failed to contact the league about their availability.
McPherson wants strong action taken against the pair.
“These are the guys we want to crack down on,” he said.
“It was the only negative of the campaign and I’ll strongly advise (the Farrer competition management committee) that they suspend or fine players.
“It’s only a minority that didn’t have the courtesy to reply to the email or send a text.
“Obviously it’s not my decision, that will come down to David Oehm and the Farrer CMC.”
Turner has indicated he will strongly contest any suspension or fine and says he emailed AFL Riverina about his unavailability.
Langtry, who resides and works in Melbourne, had passed on the message to McPherson through Marrar coach Nic Casey.
Farrer president David Oehm said he will hold discussions with Marrar before he and the competition management committee (CMC) come to any decision.
“We’re waiting on some feedback from the club and then we’ll take it from there,” Oehm said.
Oehm is a big supporter of representative football but has previously been against the suspension of players.
He did say ahead of this year’s campaign that the ‘honeymoon was over’ and that the league would take a stronger stance.
The Farrer CMC is not scheduled to meet until June 22 but Oehm suggested a decision would be made beforehand.
Marrar president Brendan Pattison said he is in discussions with AFL Riverina, and working through the issue at hand.
Meantime, Oehm is perfectly happy with the current representative format for the Farrer League.
Sections of the Riverina League want to push further into Victoria, which Oehm can understand, but he said Farrer will be staying put.
“We’re not looking to venture any further,” Oehm said.
“We know our limitations and we’re very happy with the concept at the moment.”
